Editorial

More Filipinos than ever are connected through smartphones, online banking, e-commerce platforms, social media, and digital government services. Yet as the country embraces the opportunities of the digital age, it remains alarmingly vulnerable to cyber threats. Recent findings from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) paint a troubling picture of the …

Just days into the opening of classes, violence has erupted in a private school in General Trias City, Cavite. A 14-year-old girl in eighth grade reportedly went down to a classroom of fifth graders and began stabbing students with a kitchen knife. Seven students landed in a hospital for stab …

The proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act, which was recently passed in the House of Representatives, has been presented as a long-overdue response to the constitutional mandate against political dynasties. Yet the concerns raised by several respected business and civil society organizations suggest that the measure may ultimately achieve the opposite of …

With Sen. Joel Villanueva showing up as he promised and providing the 13th vote to elect a new Senate president and reorganize the positions in the chamber, the special session of Congress went into full swing yesterday. Several members of the new minority attended the hearing of the Commission on …

How safe are reclamation projects in Manila Bay? Scientific evidence continues to accumulate, and policymakers would be ill-advised to ignore its implications. A recent study published by the University of the Philippines reported significant land subsidence in key infrastructures situated within reclaimed areas of Manila Bay. At nearly the same …

Not a single senator was present yesterday in the latest edition of the stories narrated by 18 self-proclaimed bagmen, about fantabulous kickbacks they allegedly delivered in cash at the doorsteps of top government officials led by President Marcos and his relatives. Sen. Imee Marcos arrived at the venue, the Doublegem …

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s participation in the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit in Kazan on June 17-18 is more than a ceremonial diplomatic engagement. It is a strategic opportunity for the Philippines, as current ASEAN Chair, to strengthen regional cooperation, diversify economic partnerships, and reinforce ASEAN’s central role in an increasingly …

The president of the republic can call Congress to a special session anytime. Yesterday, President Marcos called for the special session, citing the need, among other things, for a law to better address relief and rehabilitation efforts in the quake-hit areas of Mindanao as well as approve the promotions of …

The recent public outcry over rising electricity bills has once again drawn attention to a long-standing issue in the Philippine power sector: the growing burden of pass-through charges embedded in consumers’ monthly bills. The Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has clarified that only about 12 percent of the average electricity bill …

Despite facing a possible indictment for plunder, Sen. Joel Villanueva hit the right note when he announced yesterday that he would participate in case President Marcos calls Congress to a special session. Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian has said his 12-member bloc is still finalizing the agenda before formally …