[OPINION] The moment of truth for the ABS-CBN franchise
On Thursday, July 9, after 12 days of continuous hearings, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises is set to vote on the ABS-CBN franchise renewal application. This is a moment of truth for the...
View Article[OPINION] Duterte raises the bar on impunity
As new COVID-19 infections were reported to be rising, President Duterte signed RA 11479 or the Anti-Terror Act of 2020, effectively repealing the Human Security Act of 2007 and raising the bar on...
View Article[OPINION] Medicine needs to evolve with Darwin
“What you see in this ring before you is the greatest example of evolution you will ever see,” declared WWE icon Triple H in front of roaring thousands. Biologists in attendance would’ve been livid at...
View Article[OPINION] The Ifugao, cowboys, and assimilation through education
When I first visited Cordillera, I was surprised by the popularity of country music and the cowboy-themed bars and restaurants. You’ll also see men walking around in leather boots, wrangler jeans, and...
View Article[OPINION] In the service of the Filipino
In October 1953, the late Vero Perfecto and I hosted the first local TV broadcast over DZAQ-TV Channel 3 (AQ for Antonio Quirino), the first commercial TV station in the Philippines. Our maiden...
View Article[OPINYON] Kapag nawalan ng rap ang masa
Wala pang isang linggo noong tinintahan ng pangulo ang Anti-Terrorism Act na siya namang umani ng mga reaksyon mula sa iba’t ibang grupong nagsusulong ng karapatang-pantao. Naligo ng angry reax sa...
View Article[OPINION | Artwork] Bangungot sa mga mulat
MANILA, Philippines – In the middle of the coronavirus health crisis, President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law a bill giving the government more powers to act against persons or groups falling under...
View Article[OPINION | Dash of SAS] If you want to empower women, pay them for their work
When Dove, via Instagram, invited fashion designer Mich Dulce to be part of a new shampoo campaign to empower women with “the confidence to go for their own definition of beauty,” she became incensed....
View Article[OPINION] Who needs enemies when you have a President like Duterte?
Last July 1 marked the 4th year in office of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. On July 27, he is set to deliver his 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA). I venture to make my own assessment of Duterte’s...
View Article[OPINION] 100 days of COVID and Duterte
Like watching never-ending seasons of The Walking Dead, President Duterte has once again extended community quarantine. Life under quarantine and physical distancing has begun to integrate itself into...
View Article[OPINION] Shutting the revolving door: Let the chiefs serve their tenure
The following piece was first published on Analyzing War. A few weeks from now, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will have its new Chief of Staff (CSAFP). General Felimon Santos Jr., the...
View Article[EXPLAINER] Forget about people’s initiative for ABS-CBN
Since after 70 pro-administration members of a House of Representatives committee voted not to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise, many lawyers and law professors have advocated an “initiative” where voters can...
View Article[OPINION] Surviving and fighting the anti-terror law
Just before day’s end on July 3, President Duterte signed into law what is now the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, which repeals the 2007 Human Security Act.Republic Act No. 11479 is an abomination of...
View Article[ANALYSIS] How ABS-CBN’s exit will hurt the PH economy
Make no mistake. Putting ABS-CBN permanently off-air will hurt not just press freedom but also our economy.On Friday, July 10, the House of Representatives voted against bills seeking to grant a new...
View ArticleDugo ng 11,000 nasa kamay ng 70 mambabatas
“Hanap ng ibang trabaho para mabuhay.” ‘Yan ang payo ni Senador Bato dela Rosa sa mga nawalan ng trabaho sa ABS-CBN.Senador Bato, may trabaho po ang 11,000 na manggagawa ng ABS-CBN, pero dahil sa...
View Article[OPINION | Just Saying] Constitutional prerogative gone wrong
Powers must not be exercised in a vacuum, lest they yield abusive consequences. While it is true that only Congress has the authority to grant or disallow a franchise, any determination must be done...
View Article[OPINION] Honoring the predecessors of the #HijaAko movement
26 June 2019. Wednesday. Noon. Out of breath from running around the city with a big placard in one hand and a heavy, borrowed tripod on the other, I stood in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul...
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