The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
LOVE FOR ALLBy: Virginia Rodriguez Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon made the assurance that legitimate infrastructure projects will be paid despite the ongoing flood-control controversy which is a welcome signal to the construction sector. The move was made following the directive of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the government wants to make it clear: while corruption will be hunted down, honest work …
Points of View & Perspectives
March, 2026
-
8 March
BACK TO BASICS
Laws have categories and a hierarcy. Divine, natural or moral law has pre-eminence among God-fearing humans if they wish to be humane. Downstream, we have Civil Law for citizens for civic life, Military Laws for men of arms, and during the pre-Modern times, there was priority to Canon Law when men of the cloth lorded it over during the age …
-
8 March
Rhetoric instead of genuine preparedness
We are told the Philippines has ample petroleum reserves to weather a protracted war in the Middle East. Not true. We are assured that emergency rescue mechanisms are firmly in place for Filipinos seeking to flee a widening conflict. Not true. We are promised that suspending the fuel excise tax will stabilize pump prices. Not true. These declarations may calm …
-
8 March
Why Not Forever Peace?
REALPOLITIKBy Benjie Alejandro In my recent interview with Herman Tiu Laurel—better known as Ka Mentong—on Walang Atrasan over DWAR Abante Radyo, the veteran broadcaster and geopolitical analyst offered a sobering view of the Philippines’ place in today’s turbulent world. His insights cut to the heart of our national dilemma: are we destined to be a pawn in “forever wars,” or can we chart a …
-
8 March
Standing Shoulder to Shoulder: A Partnership Forged in History
LOVE FOR ALLBy: Virginia Rodriguez Seventy-seven years ago, the Philippines and the Republic of Korea established diplomatic relations rooted in shared ideals and sacrifice. That bond was not merely symbolic; it was tested in the fires of the Korean War, when Filipino soldiers stood shoulder to shoulder with Koreans in defense of freedom. Today, that same spirit of solidarity continues …
-
1 March
Ambition is not immunity
If Vice President Sara Duterte believes that floating her presidential ambition will intimidate those weighing impeachment complaints against her, she may be overestimating the power of political theater. A declaration of intent to run in 2028 might rattle allies and fence-sitters in the House of Representatives, but it carries no weight in The Hague, where judges of the International Criminal Court are tasked with trying her …
-
1 March
The Knife Comes When Least Expected
REALPOLITIKBy Benjie Alejandro In politics, as in Rome, the knife comes when least expected. The Ides of March reminds us that power can collapse overnight, often from within, and the Philippines today stands at a similar crossroads. What was once a calendar marker in ancient Rome has become a metaphor for betrayal, upheaval, and sudden turning points — themes that …
-
1 March
Honored by PBBM, Loved by the Nation: Manny Pacquiao’s Legacy Beyond Boxing
LOVE FOR ALLBy: Virginia Rodriguez There are champions, and then there are symbols. As Bongbong Marcos (PBBM) himself praised, Manny Pacquiao is not only a legendary fighter but a living testament to the strength, discipline, and heart of the Filipino. He is not just a world champion in boxing; he is a champion for every Filipino who dares to dream …
February, 2026
-
23 February
WHERE DO I BEGIN 2.0
Now that my virgin column was finally delivered by Caesarean section, so to speak, last week through the relentless proddings of our usual suspect, Ms. Nelly L., here I am once again typing on my Underwood portable manual typewriter for my second attempt in my journalistic journey. I have had no formal instruction in this kind of profession except for …
-
23 February
Cybercrime proliferating
As artificial intelligence becomes more accessible, so too do the tools of deception. Cybercriminals are now harnessing AI to produce fraudulent schemes so polished and persuasive that even digitally savvy consumers can be fooled. In the Philippines, where online transactions and mobile payments are rapidly becoming the norm, this evolution in cybercrime poses a serious threat to consumer trust—particularly in the …