Listening to Senator Panfilo Lacson’s expose of the alleged misuse of sweepstakes funds to subsidize the campaign of administration candidates in the last elections gives one the sick feeling that we’re back in the familiar track of Philippine political life.  The awesome events of this world are occurring elsewhere, while we seem fixated with the … Read more

The suicide hijackers’ ultimate dream may yet come true if and when America bombs Afghanistan.  Young warriors from all over the Islamic world will reverse their own governments’ involvement in the U.S.-led coalition, and join the international brigade that will defend the Arab homeland from “infidels.”  The result will be precisely the self-fulfillment of the … Read more

It is the most supreme of ironies – the world’s lone superpower, armed with the most sophisticated weapons, feels besieged by an enemy who lives and works in complete anonymity in middle class America, ready to attack and die at a signal.  His methods are modern, his beliefs medieval. For the longest time, Americans have … Read more

The civilized world is in shock over the magnitude and brazenness of last Tuesday’s suicidal terrorist attacks against the United States of America.  Nothing can justify the commission of atrocities of such a scale against innocent civilians in modern times.  The act is unspeakable in its cruelty and barbarism. That’s the way we look at … Read more

If Descartes were Singaporean, it would be enough for him to shop to confirm that he exists.  There is probably no country in the world that has more shops per person than this Southeast Asian city-state, a reality that has prompted one prominent Indian architect to liken Singapore to “one gigantic shopping bag.” I stopped … Read more

Seven Asians are this year’s recipients of the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Awards.  The awardees are being recognized for their greatness of spirit and outstanding service to others.  None of them is a Filipino.  Some observers have taken this as a commentary on the scarcity of greatness in our present society. The concern about not seeing … Read more

People lose faith in their institutions first, when those in charge of them exploit them for their personal benefit, and second, when they do not produce definite and useful results. Institutions are the established means by which a society conducts and regulates its collective affairs.  When they fail to do their work, people feel justified … Read more

At one point in the Senate hearing on the alleged money-laundering and criminal activities of Senator Panfilo Lacson, Colonel Victor Corpus, head of the military intelligence unit and Lacson’s chief accuser, found himself being accused instead of undermining our society’s institutions.  The senators pinned him down on his statement that judges, media people, and public … Read more

In trying to pin down Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on drugs, kidnapfor-ransom and money-laundering charges, AFP Intelligence Chief Victor Corpus has clearly picked a formidable target.  Lacson is a senator who has achieved one of the fastest role transformations in our political history.  Yesterday he was just a policeman, today he is a senator, tomorrow … Read more

The resignation of Vitaliano Nanagas as president of the Social Security System has become for many thoughtful Filipinos one more occasion to reflect on the wisdom of people power and to warn against its dangers.  The prevalent view is that a reform-minded official has been sacrificed to appease a mob bent on resisting any change … Read more