The first half of his term is ending. President Bongbong Marcos’s mind is most likely preoccupied with how to prevent meeting the same fate as former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He must also be worried that his successor might turn on him as he did with former President Rodrigo Duterte. 2026
December 29, 2025
The party-list system was written into the 1987 Constitution as a corrective response to elite domination of politics. The drafters understood that formal democracy—elections, parties, legislatures—could coexist with deep social exclusion. A sad reality, then and now. The party-list system was meant to rebalance political representation by opening the House
December 23, 2025
Corruption investigations reported by media provide the raw material for a criminal case, but in court, prosecutors must pass the “beyond reasonable doubt” standard. The reason why some high-profile investigations do not lead to conviction is due to the failure of the evidence presented at trial to meet this demanding
December 16, 2025
Freedom of speech is easier to promote as an abstract principle than as a right to fight for in real life. Often, we do not hesitate to compromise freedom of expression when it comes to restricting ideas that contravene our core values. We quote Voltaire’s uncompromising stand to defend free
December 9, 2025
Interestingly, we can find parallels between now and the colonial era of Andres Bonifacio. A pillaging elite oppressing the population. A corrupt government machinery plundering the beauty and bounty of the country. Evidently, the revolutionary fire in the bellies of indios of yore is now intensely burning amongst Gen Z
December 2, 2025
According to the committee report released by the Tri-Comm of the House of Representatives, “existing laws and institutions are grossly inadequate and ill-equipped to combat well-orchestrated and well-funded campaigns to spread disinformation, manipulate public perception, and destabilize democratic institutions.” Sadly, the report also shows that most lawmakers are likewise “grossly
November 25, 2025
It is crystal clear now that Malacañang and Congress have been colluding to use the budget process as a cash cow. PDAF, DAP, and now, insertions. These are the different iterations of pork barrel through which billions in taxpayers’ money find their way to the wallets of dynastic politicians and
November 18, 2025
We do not want to go to the Dark Side, but hate is an ally in the fight against corruption. Particularly, hate for dynastic politicians in Congress. A recent OCTA Research survey reveals that most Filipinos are angry over corruption in government infrastructure projects. The strongest reactions came from Gen
November 11, 2025
It is painfully obvious now that the plunder of the public coffers will continue to happen unless the major conspirators in the pork barrel cartel get serious jail time. Lawmakers, bureaucrats, contractors, and everyone in between should suffer. The money stolen should likewise be recovered from all the conspirators. No
November 4, 2025
According to veteran journalist Ellen Tordesillas of VERA Files: “If it is news, it isn’t fake. And if it’s false then, it cannot be news.” The term has been hijacked by politicians to discredit critical coverage. They use it not to clarify truth, but to undermine independent media and disparage
October 28, 2025
If you have decided to run for public office without the backing of a political dynasty, you have already taken one of the bravest steps in politics. For decades, dynastic politicians have treated government like an inheritance, passing down positions as if they were family heirlooms. They control vast resources,
October 21, 2025
The current process implemented in the Office of the Ombudsman is largely opaque. Complaints are filed, docketed, and resolved with little public visibility until the office issues a press release or files a case. Many cases quietly die in the paperwork. One of the lessons learned from the tenure of
October 14, 2025