The interesting term “trapo,” as presently used in Philippine politics, is a fusion of two words – “traditional” and “politician.” In the beginning, the preferred word was “tradpol.” But this contraction fell into disuse because, I suspect, it lacked the pejorative power of “trapo,” a piece of worthless cloth meant to wipe off dirt.  Over … Read more

The Philippines is probably one of the few remaining countries in the world for whom the United States government’s every word functions as a cue in domestic politics.  Our obsessive American orientation is legendary.  For a long time, we were known as a nation that allowed its presidents to be chosen, and dismissed, by America.  … Read more

There’s a popular French saying, “plus ça change, plus c’est pareil.” It means, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” This ironic observation is a testimony to the enduring nature of structures.  Events in everyday life may suggest unending flux, but the fluidity can be superficial, masking the unshakable character of an … Read more

Repeatedly, in almost every issue we have faced in this country, the question is asked: “It may not be illegal, but is it moral?” Such a question would not have arisen in an earlier time when a good name, social esteem, or a reputation for decency, meant more to people than being seen as law-abiding.  … Read more

No president could have wished for a more rewarding funeral than the one that the Filipino people gave President Cory Aquino last Wednesday.  The sendoff Cory got was neither a state nor a family event, but a national funeral befitting someone widely regarded as the mother of the nation.  It was the long funeral procession, … Read more

Instead of a highly partisan speech by the incumbent president on the state of the nation, our country might be better served if the mayor in every town, and the barangay captain in every barrio, were required annually to face their people and give a report of the state of their respective communities.  The nation, … Read more

If the nation were a family, it would clearly be wrong to describe its state solely in terms of how sufficient its earnings are relative to its needs, or how strong the house is in which it dwells.  To properly assess the state of a family, it would be necessary to inquire into the authority … Read more

The business pages of both the Inquirer and the Philippine Star carried almost identical headlines the other day.  “Remittances surged to $1.48B in May,” said the Inquirer.  “OFW remittances hit record high in May,” said The Star. One cannot miss the celebratory tone in which Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. shared this … Read more

Not too long ago, a couple of bishops of the Catholic Church who were attending an important meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) were invited to have a meal with some Malacanang officials.  The purpose of the meeting ostensibly was to brief the prelates on what the government was doing to … Read more

In our daily lives, we experience the state of our nation as a series of random events with no visible logic or coherence.  We see only what we see, and remain blissfully unaware of the partial nature of our vision.  A mother might see life as a never-ending cycle of meals to prepare or an … Read more