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Democracy’s fragile moment
In the United States, a mudslinging showdown between two would-be national leaders, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, is on track. This was made all the more evident by the sharp and contrasting...
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'Nurture the seeds we planted'
Dear teachers and parents, administrators and staff, education partners and stakeholders: Not too long ago—six years to be exact—I remember making those first cautious steps as I entered the hallowed...
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Will listen to the people: A refreshing message from Duterte
It was a remarkable day to hear from the new president that there will be a new beginning. Not only will his administration be different from the previous ones, but also, its foundation will be built...
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#AnimatED: Dealing with China and PH allies
More than a week after President Rodrigo Duterte has taken his oath, his government faces its first major foreign policy challenge.On July 12, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) will issue its...
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Left won't fold flags despite alliance with Duterte
On President Rodrigo Duterte's inauguration day, not a few friends from the media asked us what our role would be under the new administration. Will we still be watchdogs and critics? Will there still...
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Leni Robredo and the burdens of the Filipino liberal
Sometime last year, I made a commitment to being non-partisan in the then upcoming elections. I wanted to play the role of the detached expert, commenting on electoral processes with minimal bias. The...
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A rude awakening for Duterte
Brexit was a popular move against what their future will be if no changes happen. It’s a historic event that echoed the current sentiment around the world to change the status quo. This was evident...
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Ramadan: We carry what we cannot let go
Since adulthood, Ramadan was an occasion for me to be thankful that I was given another year to fast and spend a month of prayers and spiritual reflections. For me, Ramadan is a privilege that I...
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The danger of Duterte’s China and South China Sea approach
Hearing the foreign policy rhetoric of the Philippines’ newly inaugurated president Rodrigo Duterte, the only thing that is constant appears to be change. Needless to say, that’s not been very...
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President Duterte, do not kill in my name
President Duterte’s war on crime has spawned a nuclear explosion of violence that is spiralling out of control and creating a nation without judges, without law, and without reason. Do we really want...
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Duterte’s decision-making unpredictable
It took a chance encounter between President Rody Duterte and Vice President Leni Robredo at the Armed Forces change-of-command ceremony to thaw the ice. Soon after, a formal, one-on-one meeting in...
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Naming and shaming the generals
It had tremendous shock-value: the President reading the names of generals off a list, ordering them relieved and directing that they be proceeded against forthwith. He described them as coddlers and...
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Duterte's first week as president: 8 things we saw
MANILA, Philippines – What a week it has been for Rodrigo Duterte and the entire country.Though he has barely warmed his seat in Malacañang, the 16th president of the Philippines has given Filipinos...
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'Narconomics': Lessons for the Philippines' war vs drugs
In some ways, drug lords are just like entrepreneurs. They both face competition, management challenges, disruptive technology and pesky government regulations. That is the central thesis of Tom...
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To my first boss, former VP Binay
The desk has been cleared. The clutter – papers, books, things strewn deliberately all over to induce creativity – taken care of, gone forever.After today, #freedom. Freedom to speak out, knowing it...
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The moment of truth in the West Philippine Sea
“The islands and reefs in the South China Sea are Chinese territory since ancient times,” Chinese President Xi Jinping declared in an exclusive interview during his visit to London last year. Evoking a...
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An administration in search of an opposition
The events of the last few weeks have engendered much goodwill towards the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte at the same that it has triggered apprehensions about where it is headed. (READ:...
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Solving the traffic problem
I have been bothered by the news that President Duterte is thinking of resorting to emergency powers to solve the traffic problems of Metro Manila and the subsequent filing by Senator Franklin Drilon...
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#AnimatED: Blood on our streets
“As a lawyer and a former prosecutor… I know what is legal and what is not. My adherence to due process and the rule of law is uncompromising.”...
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Dutertism and Philippine populist criminality
Crime role in politics merits examination as the Philippines regresses to a kamay na bakal (iron fist) presidency that today is gaining the appearance of strength through executive orders to summarily...
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