By Ade S. Fajardo Why was Police Colonel Hector Grijaldo invited to the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing last week? Grijaldo does not figure in the roster of personalities that the International Criminal Court is investigating with an eye towards arrest and prosecution. That elite list so far includes only Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, former …
OPINION
Breaking free from the debt trap
By Herman M. Lagon Our country’s burgeoning debt is not new. Discussions about it began in the late 1960s, gained prominence in the martial law years up until the 1990s, and are the most urgent until now. The trend is ingrained in national policies and economic strategies, but it is one of the hardest to …
A continuing struggle
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim Filipino dentists are not alone, struggling with how to re-open clinics without compromising the safety of patients, the dental staff and the dentist. I believe the struggle is worldwide as dentists try with all their best to comply with guidelines made by dental groups, such as our very own Philippine …
Truth on trial
By Herman M. Lagon In the recent theater of Philippine politics, the Senate hearings have unfolded like a poorly scripted drama, showcasing a blend of theatrical admissions, political maneuvering and outright farce. Former President Rodrigo Duterte took center stage, delivering a performance that oscillated between admissions of his controversial drug war tactics and a series …
Remembering our dead
By Ignacio R. Bunye This year’s All Saints’ Day observance in the Philippines was a poignant reminder of the deep-rooted cultural and spiritual traditions that bind the nation. As families gathered to honor their departed loved ones, they engaged in practices that reflect not only their faith but also their resilience in the face of …
Testing trustworthiness
By Herman M. Lagon The National Achievement Test (NAT) has long been a cornerstone of the Philippine educational system, intended as a measure of student performance and school effectiveness. Still, like with many long-standing systems, its relevance and integrity have been hotly contested. Still very pertinent today, the scenario described in my 2009 article, “Are …
Kumperensya ng mga Protestante at Katoliko tungkol kay Maria
BY MELANIO LAZO MAURICIO, JR. INSPIRASYON SA BUHAY. “Darating ang malalakas na ulan, matataas na baha at matitinding hangin …” (si Jesus, sa Mateo 7:25, Ang Tanging Daan Bibliya). *** NAGAGANAP NA NGA. Nagaganap na nga … ang alin? Ang mga nakasulat sa Bibliya, ayon sa mga pahayag ni Jesus, na magkakaroon ang daigdig ng mga …
The Christian art of detachment
BY FR. ROY CIMAGALA It’s a virtue before it is an art. Detachment that is proper to us is a virtue that comes as a result of the spirit of Christ. And we can only have that spirit if we are open to God’s grace and faithfully follow the consequences and implications of such grace. …
Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) and the struggle for self-determination
By Dennis Gorecho Despite the enactment of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) or Republic Act No. 8371 27 years ago, conflicting laws and policies have made the implementation of this law quite challenging. This was the pronouncement of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), through its Episcopal Commission on Indigenous Peoples (ECIP), on …
Trump must be ‘trumped’
By Herman M. Lagon As the United States hurtles toward another consequential election, the world watches not merely as a bystander but as a deeply invested stakeholder. From the Philippines to Poland, America’s political trajectory holds a significant impact. And nowhere is this more acutely felt than among the tens of millions of Filipinos who, …