The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
In his final State of the Nation Address (Sona) last year, exiting President Noynoy Aquino bravely announced that this year’s elections were “a referendum” on his presidency.
Points of View & Perspectives
June, 2016
-
19 June
Think tank pushes for Epira repeal, says it doubled power rates in 15 years
The research group IBON said 15 years of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira) only strengthened the monopoly of corporations on the Philippine power industry and burdened consumers with high power rates. The group, a member of the POWER alliance, said Epira must, therefore, be repealed.
-
12 June
Duterte’s dual democracy
The two businessmen at the helm of one of the economy’s most visible real-property conglomerates were not only ecstatic about the future, but also seemed genuinely smug that nothing they saw in the near horizon could change the trajectory of the economy that had seen them through their most prolific years.
-
12 June
Colonial mentality: Remember this?
Who has recently tossed this once-derogatory phrase at somebody who tips up a chin for the native? Not since the world shrank with migration, global commerce, travel and the wonders of communication technology, could a Filipino, accuse, say, the other of that mentality—such as someone playing chic at Starbucks in skinny or ripped jeans, oversized shirt, matching half boots or …
-
12 June
Duterte language may be good for the country
It appears that, this early, some people are already stoking the embers of disaffection against President-elect Rodrigo Duterte.
-
12 June
Big church group pledges support for new leader, but has ‘deep concern’ over some pronouncements
The National Council of Churches in the Philippines, (NCCP) has vowed to “fully support” incoming President Duterte “in all his mandated tasks” but called on him at the same time “to honor the trust” bestowed on him by the people, as it raised “deep concern” about some of his pronouncements, notably on the return of the death penalty and on …
May, 2016
-
29 May
I vote, therefore, I am
Rather than focus on those we’ve voted into office and upon whom we’ve surrendered our future and the powers of the governed, allow us to reflect inwardly instead, if only to see in our vote the mirror image of ourselves.
-
29 May
Item #3 after name and gender: Citizenship?
Ay, Pilipino pa rin, Ate,” says, Florie, with sister, Daisy, who have lived in the same Vancouver rental apartment for the past 15 years. Theirs turn out to be the status of most caregiver-friends, too, or in stores working behind cash registers, at food courts, picking up your tray for cleaning and stacking, and in supermarkets, assisting you in self-serve …
-
29 May
Aquino insensitive till the end
Not much has been heard from outgoing President Noynoy Aquino these past few days. Most of the attention of the media has been focused on the incoming Chief Executive – on his person and his pronouncements. To a large extent, the public has opted to give back to the daily grind of life and simply wait for Aquino to pack …
-
29 May
Pinay student wins international award for research on anti-tumor properties of ‘malunggay’
Arianwen Ledesma Rollan, a 17-year-old Filipino student from Cebu City, has won the “First Award” given by the Qatar Foundation, Research and Development in Medical Science, for her research on the antitumor properties of malunggay (Moringa oleifera), according to Intel Corp.