In 2018, a small food manufacturer in Rizal applied for a business permit renewal, expecting the three-day processing time promised under Republic Act No. 11032. Instead, it took three weeks: requirements were passed between separate offices, forms duplicated, and the applicant directed to meet multiple officers—despite the law’s ban on unnecessary contact. Officials cited “internal…
A fundamental observation emerges from decades of observing public service—one that became increasingly evident during the 8th Congress (1987–1992) Senate term, under the leadership of Senate President Jovito Salonga, Senator Neptali Gonzales, Senator Vic Ziga, and their distinguished colleagues. It is an enduring reality that the most impactful policies and laws are rarely shaped solely…
During the early 2000s, as local elections drew near, a crowd gathered around a community bulletin board where a newspaper had posted new survey results. People pointed, argued, and even shifted their stated preferences on the spot, repeating the phrase, “Kung sikat siya, baka maganda siyang mamuno” (If he is popular, maybe he will lead…
It is early morning in Marycris Complex, Pasong Camachile II. For many families, this hour should mark a quiet transition from sleep to the start of the day — a time for rest, preparation, and calm. Instead, it has become the hour when loud music, amplified sound systems, and videoke sessions begin or continue well…
A few years ago, I observed a legislative hearing meant to scrutinize a costly infrastructure project that had fallen years behind schedule and far over budget. What began as an oversight session quickly dissolved into theatrical exchanges: emotional speeches, personal attacks, and rehearsed lines designed more for evening news coverage than for uncovering facts. By…
A field assessment conducted in a remote barangay in Northern Luzon revealed a reality that has long constrained the Philippine healthcare system: academically capable students who aspire to become physicians are forced to abandon their dreams because of financial hardship, while barely fifty meters away, a rural health station operates without a permanent physician, compelling…
Discipline, Formation, and the Future of Our Youth There is an old saying in many Filipino households: “Ang disiplina ay hindi panakit, kundi paghubog ng mabuting pag-uugali.” Discipline is not about inflicting pain but about shaping good character. For generations, Filipino families have relied on clear boundaries, respect for elders, and a strong sense of…
NATION In the rice fields of Nueva Ecija, a farmer has risen at three in the morning and toiled until dusk for forty years. He lives by the belief that hard work and patience are the foundations of progress, yet despite a lifetime of relentless labor, he struggles to fund his children’s education. A single…
It was three years ago when I observed a city government launch a digital platform meant to speed up business permit processing—built on advanced predictive algorithms and hailed as a model of modern governance. Yet after six months, usage remained low, errors were frequent, and staff still relied on manual logs, revealing how entrenched traditional…
ETHICAL LEADERSHIP AND THE RULE OF LAW: LESSONS FROM THE 2026 SENATE TURMOIL Between 9 and 17 May 2026, the Philippine Senate—historically, a forum for legislative deliberation and democratic discourse—became the center of unprecedented political volatility, marked by restricted access and heightened security measures. On 11 May, the return of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa…