(November 1-7)

Some Filipino politicians are acting as if they are totally ignorant of the ongoing peace negotiation between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that is now entering its 15th year since 1997.

(October 22-31)

This question is a timely one. Waves of protests are sweeping across Asia, the Americas, and Europe expressing discontent at corporate greed and rising unemployment.  Frustrations are increasing. And the blame is put squarely on elites who own corporations, whose methods of cornering business and profits are anchored on monopoly, interests, hoarding, speculation, etc.

(October 15-21)

The best decision the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have made so far regarding the GPH-MILF peace negotiation is fast tracking it. Fifteen years in it, with all the ups and downs, is too long a process. It is time to wrap up things, so that real healing and reconstruction processes can start immediately. After all, only one agenda is left for discussion in the negotiating table; i.e., negotiated political settlement of the conflict in the form of comprehensive compact.

(October 8-14)

The Senate and the Lower House of Congress are ready to introduce amendments to the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution that, to their view, are stunting Philippines’ global competitiveness. They know the time has come, if it has not been long overdue, to do something to the Constitution that no longer responds to the demand of the time. However, instead of riding on this, as an opportunity to solve the inadequacy of this Constitution to accommodate the substate proposal of the MILF, President Benigno Aquino III or his spokesmen standard reactions or answers have always been consistent: it is not in the priority of the government, or the president is not interested.