By Sonny Angara More than 20 years have passed since Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act (GPRA) was enacted into law. Introduced by my father, the former Senate President Edgardo Angara, the GPRA was considered a world-class, landmark law for putting in place strong mechanisms to curb corruption in government procurement. In …
OPINION
Cracking the toxic code
By Herman M. Lagon In the modern workplace, it is not uncommon to come across people whose conduct jeopardizes the unity and efficiency of the group. These are the toxic coworkers — people whose deeds and attitudes have the power to spread negativity to everyone in their immediate area. It takes more than just …
Mapping the soul of our islands
By Herman M. Lagon As I find myself halfway through a weeklong journey of cultural mapping training at INA Farm in Barotac Nuevo, the significance of our mission has never been more apparent. We are here, over a hundred strong, diving deep into the heart of Iloilo’s 4th and 5th districts, part of a larger …
Strategies in place, or the lack of it
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim With these measures (among many others), the implementation of a policy, strategy or action plan for oral health is in place, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) country report. The Department of Health’s (DOH) 2003 National Policy on Oral Health, for example, mandates local governments to implement oral health programs. …
Ancient DNA, new antibiotics
By Dr. Joseph D. Lim New antibiotics may come from ancient teeth. The teeth of a Neanderthal man may provide the material to make new antibiotics, Harvard University scientists say. They are looking at bacteria found on the dental plaque that has hardened into tartar. The highest concentration of ancient DNA on any part of an …
Widow’s $1-billion mite
By Herman M. Lagon The remarkable $1 billion donation of widow Ruth Gottesman to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine stands out as a testament to the lasting power of pure charity in a world full of “quid pro quo” deals. This unprecedented deed, which aims to guarantee free tuition for all students moving forward, not …
The Tatak Pinoy Act — A giant leap towards industrialization
By Sonny Angara It is not often that we see the enactment of a law that was crafted with lofty aspirations and with a potential to be a game-changer for our country. After five years of conceptualizing, continuous research and consultations, the Tatak Pinoy or Proudly Filipino bill is now a law (Republic Act 11981). …
The educator’s journey
By Herman M. Lagon Beyond the conventional classroom, educators have other more profound duties. In our local context, teaching is a vocation with unique significance because of its roots in the holistic formation of kids. Education is more than just teaching facts; it is about the entire growth of the intellect and character. In …
Will Marcos stop ICC arrest warrants with a written order?
By Ade S. Fajardo Harry Roque wants President Bongbong Marcos to issue a written order that says that warrants of arrest, if ever issued by the International Criminal Court, will not be enforced or otherwise ignored by the Philippine National Police. Is this a viable option? Will the President be violating any law should he …
To be Christian is to be fearless
By Fr. Roy Cimagala That’s right! If we are truly and consistently Christian, fear would have no place in our heart other than that wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit himself that is the fear of the Lord, which is a healthy kind of fear. The fear of the Lord is the fear of offending …