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The recent appointment of boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao as head of the Anti-Poverty Commission has generated neither widespread public approval nor significant opposition. His appointment, however, brings an unusual combination of qualifications: a personal success story rooted in poverty and a long record of extending assistance to poor Filipinos, particularly after retiring from professional boxing. What could distinguish Pacquiao’s approach …

There is talk, once in a while,  that the qualifications of our candidates for public office leave much to be desired. Social media commentators point out that most  employers require basic education and skills for even the lowliest of jobs, be it that of a carpenter, plumber or household help. But as for public offices, even for the Presidency of …

It seems that only the government is celebrating the Philippines’ improved showing in the latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). Four years after the advocacy group Philippine Business for Education ranked the country near the bottom of the list, hardly anyone appears convinced that the dramatic improvement in students’ science, mathematics and reading skills reflects reality. The numbers may …

EBITDABy DIEGO C. CAGAHASTIAN Before he left for New Delhi to attend the BRICS Summit on Sept. 12-13, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told the Filipino people why he was going and what were his expectations on this trip. Since his attendance there is tied to his responsibilities as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) this year, Marcos …

It is indeed relevant that Frank G. Rivera’s zarzuela, “Ambon Ulan Baha” is restaged after three decades in the same venue at this time of catastrophes particularly typhoons, flash floods, landslides, glacier breakdown etc. What are the lessons people should learn from the remounting of the play on September 26 and 27, 20026 at the Metropolitan Theater? “What once seemed …

Former House Speaker and incumbent Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez was arrested Monday after the Office of the Ombudsman accused him and former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co of receiving at least ₱7.44 billion in alleged kickbacks from government-funded projects between 2022 and 2025. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed Romualdez’s arrest at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City, where …

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia are willing to finance the construction of oil storage facilities in the Philippines, potentially giving the country priority access to petroleum supplies during major disruptions in the global energy market, the Department of Energy (DOE) said. During a Senate Committee on Energy hearing, DOE Oil Industry Management Bureau Director Rino Abad said …

LOVE FOR ALL​By: Virginia Rodriguez In times of crisis, true leadership is measured not only by speeches and promises, but by presence, action, and compassion. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has demonstrated this kind of leadership as he continues to work despite the challenges brought by typhoons and the southwest monsoon, or habagat. His inspections of areas affected by severe weather …

Malacañang said the government will exercise greater discipline in spending public funds and prioritize projects with strong economic and social returns as the peso continues to weaken against the US dollar. The peso closed at ₱62.565 against the dollar on Wednesday, its fourth consecutive record-low close, raising concerns over the impact of a weaker currency on imported goods, particularly fuel …

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has warned the public against false social media announcements claiming that the government is distributing free rice to hog raisers affected by low live-weight prices. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. debunked the claims in a Facebook post, saying at least two fake quote cards bearing his photos had been circulated online to promote the …