Speaking Out

By Ignacio R. Bunye The energy crisis is no longer an abstract policy debate — it is the rising cost in our bills, the strain on our transport, and the uncertainty in our future. For Juan and Maria, conserving energy is not just about saving pesos; it is about safeguarding the nation’s resilience. We often …

By Ignacio R. Bunye The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) hearings on the Duterte administration’s war on drugs have once again thrust the Philippines into the global spotlight. At the heart of the proceedings lies a fundamental question: Can a leader’s words be divorced from the actions they inspire? Defense lawyers argue that President Duterte’s fiery …

By Ignacio R. Bunye The peso has fallen to its weakest level in history — P60.10 to the dollar. For Juan and Maria, this is not an abstract figure on a trading screen. It is the rising price of rice, medicine and school supplies. It is the shrinking value of their hard-earned wages. It is …

By Ignacio R. Bunye If you had been at the newly refurbished Muntinlupa Sports Center during Muntinlupa’s 31st cityhood anniversary, you would have felt it right away — this wasn’t just another program with speeches and plaques. It felt more like a reunion of an entire ecosystem. City officials, councilors, barangay leaders, DepEd and court …

By Ignacio R. Bunye Fifty years is a long journey for any institution. A golden anniversary is more than a marker of endurance; it is a celebration of vision, service and the people who carried a mission forward through changing times. This week, I find myself doubly blessed to commemorate two milestones that are deeply …

By Ignacio R. Bunye The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) hearings on the Duterte administration’s war on drugs have once again thrust the Philippines into the global spotlight. At the heart of the proceedings lies a fundamental question: Can a leader’s words be divorced from the actions they inspire? Defense lawyers argue that President Duterte’s fiery …

By Ignacio R. Bunye Global analysts now project that by 2050, the Philippines may stand among the world’s 20 largest economies. It is an encouraging forecast — but also a challenge. Because if we are to be brutally honest, the biggest threats to this future are not global headwinds. They are political habits we have …

By Ignacio R. Bunye February is supposed to be the gentlest month of the year. Hearts decorate storefronts, restaurants fill up with couples, and even the most stoic among us soften a little. But while many celebrate love, others exploit it. And this love month, the Philippine National Police has issued a timely warning: Love …

By Ignacio R. Bunye In the past week, Manila’s media has been ablaze with stories that range from impeachment raps against high officials to rising unemployment figures, from corporate scandals to leadership conferences promising “authentic communication.” For many ordinary Filipinos, however, the question is simple: How do these headlines touch our daily lives? Politics and …

By Ignacio R. Bunye At the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) annual reception on January 23, Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. offered a toast that doubled as a roadmap. Beneath the evening’s warmth was a clear message: Safeguarding the financial system is unfinished work. And the way forward rests on three pillars — innovation, inclusion, …