By Herman M. Lagon In a world that often turns to titles, uniforms and reputations for reassurance, it’s easy to assume that those in power must always be right. We’re taught early to trust the doctor, the teacher, the elder, the politician. But sometimes, our trust goes too far — crossing into blind faith. That’s …
OPINION
Rising to the challenge of making PH education world-class
By Sonny Angara By now, more details about the PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) results for the Philippines have been bandied about in various media channels. The results, for example, showed that around 80 percent of our students had low scores in reading, such that they would have difficulty identifying the main idea of …
Christ wants us to be productive
By Fr. Roy Cimagala The gospel of Matthew (21:33-43, 45-46) reminds us that Christ wants us to be fruitful and productive, making use of everything that he has given us — our life, our talents and the many other gifts that we have. The gospel also tells us that failing to be fruitful and productive …
Study: Some sugar substitutes linked to faster cognitive decline
Some sugar substitutes may come with unexpected consequences for long-term brain health, MedicalXpress reported, citing a study published in Neurology. The study examined seven low- and no-calorie sweeteners and found that people who consumed the highest amounts experienced faster declines in thinking and memory skills compared to those who consumed the lowest amounts. The link …
Are local governments powerless against insertions?
By Ade S. Fajardo Local governments must be ecstatic that billions of pesos have been pouring in by way of infrastructure projects. Meantime, legislators have ignored the constitutional directive that education be given the highest budgetary priority. The Department of Education suffered a P12-billion cut in the 2025 General Appropriations Act, prompting Secretary Sonny Angara to …
Senate’s ‘game of thrones’
By Herman M. Lagon The Senate says it dislikes drama, yet the past weeks have felt like prestige TV — alliances shifting by the hour, a throne that never stays warm, cliff-hangers you wish you could rewind. Ping Lacson walked away from the blue ribbon chair mid-flood-control probe; Chiz Escudero is out, Tito Sotto is …
Tighter enforcement vs. vapes, cigs urged as youth smoking doubles
With youth smoking rates in the Philippines doubling in just two years, public health advocates are calling for urgent and targeted enforcement measures to stop the spread of illegal cigarettes and vapes that are fueling a new wave of nicotine addiction among teens. In a news release, Pinoy Aksyon cited new data from the Food …
The SK CSC eligibility shortcut
By Herman M. Lagon There are quiet policies, and there are loud ones that hit people in the gut. The Civil Service Commission’s move to grant eligibility to Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials who finish their terms feels like the second kind. On paper, it honors youth service and invites young people into government. Look closer, …
‘Save yourselves from this perverse generation’
By Fr. Roy Cimagala St. Peter said these words to the house of Israel who realized that they had crucified the very Son of God, the Messiah whom they had expected for so long. He proceeded to advise them to do some penance. (cfr. Acts 2:36-41) These words can also be applied to us now. …
Common inhalers carry heavy climate cost, study finds
The inhalers people depend on to breathe are also warming the planet, producing annual emissions equivalent to more than half a million cars in the United States alone, researchers said in a major new study. Using a national drug database, researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles and Harvard analyzed global warming pollution from …