CONQUEST WITHOUT FIRING A SHOT
Our national security is now compromised. The danger is no longer merely the possibility of invasion, warships on our shores, or missiles falling on our cities. The more insidious danger…
The Curious Case of San Narciso, Quezon, Part 1
What happened in San Narciso, Quezon, deserves the attention of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Commission on Elections, the Office of the Ombudsman, and perhaps even…
A Medical Necessity, Part 1
I once talked to an old man who was then eighty years old. He owned a lumber company and had built a considerable business around it. With the confidence of…
When Lawyers Cross the Line
The involvement of lawyers in criminal schemes raises a broader and uncomfortable question about the legal profession in the Philippines: have we reached a point where there is an oversupply…
Ceasefire
We have reached a chapter in our history where political dynasties—or political tribes—rule the roost in their respective political dominions. In many places, elections have become little more than ceremonial…
El Presidente Robin
Has Robin Padilla reached his political ceiling? Given his constituency, I sometimes feel politically marginalized. I no longer believe I can help elect the kind of leaders we once had…
Duterte Legacy Part 2
Another significant aspect of Rodrigo Duterte’s legacy concerns the judiciary, particularly the appointments he made to the Supreme Court and the lower courts during his presidency. When Duterte assumed office…
Erap’s Story About Manuel Quezon’s Morning Wood
When Joseph “Erap” Estrada was running for President in 1998, we gathered one evening of April 1998 at the residence of the late Danding Cojuangco in Balete Drive, New Manila,…
Atong Ang Is Hiding in Plain Sight
The life and rise of Atong Ang, to many observers, has long been intertwined with the shadowy world of gambling, political patronage, and allegations of corruption. He reportedly began as…
Political Dynasties: The Llamado in Elections
In the game of cockfighting, an activity deeply woven into Filipino culture, there exists a fascinating mystery in the manner bets are fielded inside the cockpit arena. Veterans of the…
Robinhood Padilla Is the De Facto Senate President
No doubt, Robin has hijacked the Senate. He showed AP Cayetano (APC) how to be a bully and a macho man. When he taunted Kiko Pangilinan with, “Wag mo ako…
King Maker RR
This is where Enrique Razon Jr. — “Ricky” Razon — comes into the equation. In Philippine politics, businessmen do not merely support candidates out of patriotism or civic duty. Many…