Fresh from attending the 46th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit in Kuala Lumpur, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. faced the Filipino press. In the question-and-answer portion, little was said about Mr. Marcos’ key concerns at the meeting—the South China Sea Code of Conduct and United States tariffs. Reporters instead focused on the fallout from … Read more
Much of the analysis of the recent midterm elections has been retrospective. But to truly grasp the Filipino voter’s behavior, what we need are carefully designed postelection surveys using in-depth interviews. Unfortunately, no political party or candidate seems willing to fund exit polls. What for? They ask. And so we are left to speculate. Speculation … Read more
A social media exchange on the outcome of the recent papal conclave caught my attention the other day. It went like this: A: “Sayang, hindi Filipino ang napiling susunod na Santo Papa! (Too bad, a Filipino wasn’t chosen to be the next pope.)” B: “‘Te, hindi ito Miss Universe, at hindi ikaw ang Holy Spirit! … Read more
While much attention in the 2025 midterm elections has centered on control of the Senate, it is at the local government level where the most critical governance issues are painfully clear. Local officials have increasingly exploited the expansive powers provided by the Local Government Code, notably the authority to levy taxes and approve or block … Read more
Pope Francis’ 12-year papacy (2013-2025) was, in many ways, a continuation of his immediate predecessors’ most memorable legacies. Like the beloved John Paul II, he actively engaged with the world, seeking to influence its direction. And, like the intellectual Benedict XVI, he aimed to redefine the Church’s role within modern society. Yet, this is where … Read more
Outside my house, the yard is thick with dry mahogany leaves. They fall continuously, carpeting the entire garden, reminding me of an inescapable truth—that decay precedes death, and death awaits all living things. “But to what end?” I often catch myself asking. The comforting message of Easter—that death is but a passage to eternal life—has … Read more
Donald Trump’s rise in American politics has rested largely on his image as a savvy businessman who claims to know how to make America great again. That vision continues to strike a deep chord with many Americans who lived through the collapse of American manufacturing. But the America they long for—the one of humming factories … Read more
By now, Filipinos are well acquainted with Philippine offshore gaming operators, better known as Pogos, particularly after President Marcos Jr. banned them to loud applause during his 2024 State of the Nation Address. Although Pogos catered mainly to foreign gamblers, they became synonymous with criminal activities—money laundering, human trafficking, fraud, and financial scams. Most have … Read more
Hoping to catch the early bloom of cherry blossoms, I flew to Tokyo this week with my eldest granddaughter Julia, a digital animation student and devoted Japanophile. We arrived with the expectation of seeing trees draped in soft pinks—but quickly realized we were a week too early. Instead of petals, we found buds: green and … Read more
The arrest and March 11 handover of former president Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC) is a defining moment for the Philippines. To make sense of what may come next, we must look beyond the spectacle and examine the deeper fault lines in our political system. At the heart of this crisis is … Read more