The symbolic absorption of the former ruling party It began with an expulsion and is unfolding as an inquisition. The expulsion was of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from her leadership position in the House; the inquisition is of former President Duterte who has been summoned by a city fiscal in response to a case filed by a radical Representative. The…

It is a powerful argument to appeal to maintain the status quo This week’s The Long View: THE LONG VIEW Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:03 AM October 25, 2023 The President wanted it, the President got it, and then the President suspended it: now people wonder what gives when it comes to the Maharlika Investment Fund. Viswa Nathan, writing in The Asia Sentinel (the last of the fiercely independent Southeast…

How to pick someone’s pocket and thank them for the cash Last week’s The Long View: THE LONG VIEW Philippine Daily Inquirer / 04:30 AM October 18, 2023 In his prime, Ferdinand Marcos Sr. was associated with the term “jujitsu” and it was often used to describe his ability to get out of being cornered, politically, and get the better of his opponents. Recent events almost…

Israel, the Middle East, and Us My thoughts are with Jewish friends in Israel and the world over, as they confront and stand up to the horrors inflicted by terrorists this week. From A Historic Cataclysm in the Middle East, this passage which gave me food for thought for my column: “The Middle East region is…

The Veep’s incredible disappearing intelligence budget Presidents propose the national budget, but any annual budget must originate in the House of Representatives: this is what having the power of the purse means. Being closest to the people, the House has the exclusive power to initiate spending bills. The Veep still felt Congress should grant her, this…

A deep dive into three decades of public opinion and what it reveals Here is the teaser for the presentation: Who was former president Ferdinand E. Marcos? Are Filipinos becoming forgetful or victims of misinformation? Looking at SWS surveys… Was he a severe, brutal, or oppressive president? In 1986, 45% said so. By 2022, however, only 23% thought so. Did he steal from…

It’s been a good week explaining This week featured three discussions on three topics. Have watch or have a listen! I. September 23 Redux Headstart: Historian Manolo Quezon weighs in on remembering martial law 51 years since its declaration. On September 23 Martial Law and Parental Guilt Time bandit II. The missing Middle When Ninoy Aquino returned to the Philippines from three years…

Does a GFI have a broader responsibility? This week’s column is on the big Metro Pacific buyback and the GSIS. This week’s The Long View THE LONG VIEW Philippine Daily Inquirer / 05:10 AM September 20, 2023 In January of this year, news came that Japanese conglomerate Mitsui was interested in acquiring up to 20 percent of the Metro Pacific Investments Corp…

Does she really think she’s changed things? Something interesting is going on, signified by three things. On one hand, the Department of Education wants to revise the curriculum to teach the “dictatorship” instead of the “Marcos dictatorship” from 1972 to 1986. On the other hand, in response to the ongoing rice crisis, Sen. Imee Marcos has been…