The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
In a world rife with cynicism about political leadership, particularly among young and inexperienced heads of state, Captain Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso stands out as a compelling exception. At just 37 years old, Traoré, the second youngest head of state in the world, has already carved a distinct path that commands attention — not through bombast or political theatrics, …
Points of View & Perspectives
June, 2025
May, 2025
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22 May
Marcos-Duterte reconciliation or power struggle in disguise?
As the 20th Congress prepares to convene, a high-stakes political chess match is unfolding between two of the country’s most influential political dynasties: the Marcoses and the Dutertes. With Vice President Sara Duterte reportedly lobbying for her brother, Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, to run for House Speaker, the message is clear—the Dutertes are not ready to concede control of …
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9 May
Politics and pursuit of justice should never collide
The recent move by the Ombudsman to require Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and four other high-ranking officials to answer a complaint over the controversial March 11 arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte is a political firestorm dressed in legal clothing. Filed by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations chaired by Senator Imee Marcos, the complaint reeks of political posturing …
March, 2025
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21 March
A Senate hearing that obscures, not clarifies, the issue of Duterte’s arrest
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led by presidential sister Imee Marcos, convened a public inquiry that, rather than shedding light on the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, only served to further obfuscate the matter. With a loud and forceful presence, Imee Marcos seemed more interested in grandstanding than in addressing the serious charges facing her brother. The hearing became …
June, 2024
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19 June
A Calculated Political Gamble
Vice President Sara Duterte’s quitting her posts as Education chief and Vice Chairperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) has sent shockwaves across the corridors of power in the Philippines. By stepping away from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Cabinet, Duterte has not just resigned but issued a powerful statement with deep political undertones. Duterte’s …
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5 June
Playing the victim card
China’s claim that the Filipino soldiers stationed at Ayungin Shoal pointed guns at Chinese Coast Guard during a resupply mission on May 19 is extremely absurd, if not downright waggish. After several brushes with the Philippine troops on the West Philippine Sea that always ended with CCG ships blasting water cannons on the hapless Filipinos, China, obviously, is now playing …
May, 2024
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28 May
Business and journalism
As a young Filipino-Chinese kid who spent my childhood years staying in my paternal grandparents’ store during school breaks in Binondo, Manila, I personally witnessed how a measly 25 or 50-centavo profit from every item they sold was enough to put a smile on their faces. Back then, I didn’t understand that it was my grandparents’ ploy to lure repeat …
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13 May
‘Pares’
Curiosity brought us to a trending eatery near the GSIS office in Pasay City last Saturday evening. Us meant me, my two grown-up sons, JB and Jerson, and my very good friend, Peter Anthony Espeleta setting out to discover the fuss surrounding the latest food craze in town. We just came from the nearby Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Vito Cruz, …
April, 2024
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26 April
Attorney-Client Relationship
Lawyer-client relationship. — A lawyer-client relationship is of the highest fiduciary character. As a trust relation, it is essential that the engagement is founded on the confidence reposed by the client on the lawyer. Therefore, a lawyer-client relationship shall arise when the client consciously, voluntarily and in good faith vests a lawyer with his or her confidence for the purpose …
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19 April
TESTIMONIAL EVIDENCE
Section 22. Testimony confined to personal knowledge. – A witness can testify only to those facts which he or she knows of his or her personal knowledge; that is, which are derived from his or her own perception. (36a) A witness must have a personal knowledge on matters that he or she is testifying. A personal knowledge is that which …
