People for the government By +Oscar V. Cruz D. D. The present administration has successfully changed the consecrated democratic principle that the government is for the people. The reality is now precisely the other way around: the people are for the government. Sad but true—and dangerous. The plain and simple…

Perplexing June 12 By Gerry Garcia THE proclamation of Philippine Independence in Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898, was more an expression of will and faith than actual acquisition. What we gained freedom from did not strike us as fully convincing as we were still under Spanish domination fighting against…

Unstoppable Globalization By Jun Velasco AN INDICTMENT of a joint venture between the Philippine and Chinese governments for the exploitation of some l.5 million hectares of idle real estate (PDI full page ad p. A 4) as anti-poor and anti- Filipino overlooks the unstoppable globalization phenomena. We sympathize with the…

Good luck, Mayor Al By Gonzalo Duque SEOUL, South Korea – Can’t help shed a tear when I see enormous advancement by other countries.  Most often, I told myself when I was in the United States, “ano kaya ang naging  kasalanan ng Pilipino at hindi makaahon sa kahirapan at di…

Integrated weed management solves recurring low income By Sosimo Ma. Pablico The recurring low income of farmers practicing direct seeding of rice in Dingle, Iloilo has been solved through integrated weed management. In the past, Dingle rice farmers had difficulty controlling the weeds despite the use of herbicides.  Until lately,…

Sinking ship By +Oscar V. Cruz D. D. Sad to say but real to behold, the present administration can be well likened to a sinking ship. The “Garci tapes” remain one big open political wound. The impeachment cases are considered a complementary unclosed moral dilemma—not mere a question of number…

Bringing home Iraq By Marifi Jara The image of US Army Sergeant Richard “Valiant” Correa’s casket, alongside his grieving family and friends, is poignant. He was so young. Sayang. That the casket was draped in an American flag, arriving a day before the celebration of the Philippine’s Independence Day during…

6.9% what? By +Oscar V. Cruz D. D. Stranger than fiction—this could be the popular perception every time the administration releases impressive figures of economic progress or amazing statistics of national development. Such glorious pronouncements are even usually accompanied with the by-line that never before were they realized except in…

Do not come, please! By +Oscar V. Cruz D. D. The person of the Holy Father is very dear and endearing. His papal office is most appreciated as it is also most respected in the Catholic world. That is why his presence cannot but be much desired and treasured. More…