“It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.” –Tony Robbins It was a landslide and every member from Congress from Iloilo and Guimaras voted for the restoration of the death penalty. No one wanted to be an island. Nobody was willing to be a lonely voice. There were no Benjamins, Dracoses, …
OPINION
Thank God for giving us Jhett Tolentino
“Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.” –Arthur Schopenhauer A Filipino-American doctor from Texas once told a group of sportswriters, including this writer, “It will take another 100 years before the Philippines produces another Manny Pacquio.” In musical theater, however, let me say, 100 …
Not the right time for the death penalty
Thee are many important basic ideas to be realized before the death penalty could truly work to the benefit of (a majority of) the poor and out political and economic system. The version of the death penalty passed by the House of Representatives was done in haste, for reasons some of us know. The version …
The exorbitant airport parking fee
In a coffee talk between an engineer, a priest, a businessman, a doctor, and a retired military officer, they discussed everything from business to garbage. An issue that took a lot of the time surrounded the parking fee at the Bacolod-Silay Airport. The engineer was very vocal regarding the issue of the airport charging P200 …
Be bold for change
This year’s theme for International Women’s Day, which is today, applies to all of us. “Be bold for change;” forget gender – man or women, young or old. Bystanders should be shaken if they are not in the thick of the struggle for the betterment of humankind. More than ever, a call to action is …
Amazing Iloilo City hosts the ASEAN Summit
“Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success.” –Henry Ford The decision to hold the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Iloilo City, from March 6 to 16, is laudable. Delegates and other visitors will surely enjoy the warmth and hospitality of the Ilonggos. Force and resources for …
Switching parties no longer guarantees unlimited immunity
“Ang gobyernong ito ay walang kinikilingan kahit ka-partido ka man o hindi.” –Biñan City Rep. Marlyn Alonte-Naguiat In most countries around the world, political parties represent an identity and belief system in how a government should be run. Typically, there is a left-wing side, advocating more government intervention and control; and a right-wing, one that …
After inheriting House post, Judy Syjuco faces jail term
“We inherit nothing truly, but what our actions make us worthy of.” –George Chapman Was it a case of “Ako ang bahala, ikaw ang kawawa (I’ll be in charge, you face the consequences)?” If she did not “inherit” the congressional post from her husband, former Iloilo second district Rep. Judy Syjuco would have been enjoying …
Observations on the massive lack of ‘gym etiquette’
Visiting the gym five days a week, many of the regular annoyances have been locked away as expected behaviors from fellow gym-goers. However, there are many instances when some of those behaviors spring up and generate those same pangs of annoyance from when they were first noticed. The way some choose attire, such as mesh …
Why Iloilo mayor is unfazed by Ombudsman case
“Take chances, make mistakes. That’s how you grow. Pain nourishes your courage. You have to fail in order to practice being brave.” –Mary Tyler Moore Public officials facing a case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman normally refuse to speak with the media out of fear of the oft-repeated adage, “More talk, more mistakes.” …