The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
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 …
Points of View & Perspectives
March, 2026
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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 …
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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
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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 …
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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 …
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23 February
Teachers First: A Commitment Turned Into Concrete Action
LOVE FOR ALLBy: Virginia Rodriguez When President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. took office, he made a clear commitment: to uplift the country’s teachers not merely through rhetoric, but through tangible reforms. In a nation where educators have long been praised yet often under-supported, that promise carried significant weight. Today, the results of that commitment are beginning to take shape in …
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23 February
Sustaining Momentum in Educational Reform
REALPOLITIKBy Benjie Alejandro President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s renewed commitment to educational reform, underscored by the submission of the EDCOM II Final Report, projects both continuity and ambition. The administration’s push to align reforms with expert recommendations and to launch the National Education and Workforce Development Plan (NatPlan 2026–2035) suggests a desire to institutionalize long‑term strategies rather than rely on …
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15 February
Where do I begin?
Due to insistent private demand of our publisher Ma’m Nelly, here I am in a computer shop in Pilar Village, Las Pinas City trying to eke out what would pass for a column this sleepy afternoon of Friday, February 13, the unofficial Valentine’s day of undocumented couples. First off, I would like to make clear that this attempt at column writing is purely uncompensated, thus preventing …
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15 February
Replacing Senate Pres crucial to VP impeachment trial
Rumors swirl that opposition senators will again attempt to unseat Senate President Tito Sotto, installing instead a leader who would guarantee one crucial outcome: the acquittal of Vice President Sara Duterte in a possible impeachment trial—clearing her path for a 2028 presidential run. The Senate intramurals may appear procedural, even routine. But the stakes are unmistakably high. Control of the chamber means control …
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15 February
The Philippines defense dilemma
REALPOLITIKBy Benjie Alejandro The release of the United States of America’s 2026 National Defense Strategy (NDS) has stirred debate across the IndoPacific, especially in countries like the Philippines that stand at the crossroads of alliance commitments and the demand for selfreliance. At its core, the NDS calls for a “denial defense along the First Island Chain,” meant to deter adversaries by strengthening …