Editorial

Beginning July 20, Manila once again takes center stage in regional diplomacy as it hosts a week-long series of ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meetings and related conferences. More than a ceremonial responsibility, the gathering offers the Philippines an important opportunity to help shape discussions on the region’s most pressing political, economic, …

As legalese and personal issues of certain senators again threatened to bog down the seventh day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, presiding officer Sen. Francis Escudero announced two rulings yesterday that somewhat eased the impatience of the public. One was the deferment of discussions on such …

Democracy demands debate, but debate should produce clarity, not more confusion; accountability, not simply another cycle of outrage. The Philippines excels in many things, but it also seems to have become a country that excels at reacting. Every little remark gets people venting on Facebook. Every day, something trends. Every …

After six days of grueling back-and-forth on the proper definition of a grave threat, the Senate impeachment court tackles today one of the most critical issues in the trial of Sara Duterte: should the bank and tax records of the Vice President and her husband Manases Carpio be opened to …

Public discourse has become increasingly vulnerable to language that demeans rather than enlightens. Filipinos have at times been subjected to derogatory comparisons to monkeys. This is a form of rhetoric that may generate attention but ultimately diminishes meaningful discourse. Whatever its impact is, such remarks deserve neither escalation nor retaliation. …

The ongoing investigations into the flood control corruption scandal as well as the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte are showing the difficulty of going after suspected dirty money. This difficulty should give impetus for the approval of a recommendation of the Anti-Money Laundering Council. The AMLC is seeking …

For decades, dealing with the government meant bracing for a grueling test of endurance. We spent hours waiting in humid corridors, clutching folders of redundant and photocopied documents that agencies never shared with one another. Red tape was everywhere, creating frustrating administrative hassle that taxed people’s time and dignity. Recently, …

With the prospect of US President Donald Trump getting mired in a “forever war” with Iran, fuel prices are surging again. Industry watchers are projecting increases next week ranging from P9.50 to P10.50 per liter for diesel, the fuel of most public utility vehicles, and from P3.50 to P4.50 per …

Amid the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, an old issue has been dredged up. Yesterday’s trial opened with siblings Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano, backed by Robinhood Padilla, lamenting what they perceived as an attempt to intimidate the minority bloc in the impeachment proceedings. They pointed to Director …

Access to affordable, reliable electricity is indispensable to economic growth, business competitiveness, and the daily lives of Filipino households. Yet for many consumers, the monthly electricity bill has become an increasing source of financial strain. The recurring experience of “bill shock,” coupled with persistent questions over unexplained charges, disputed meter …