SIX years after it started investigating charges against Rappler for violating the constitutional provision banning foreign ownership in media, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) last June 28 finally ruled Rappler incontestably guilty of the charges and ordered it closed. The decision was unanimous among the five SEC commissioners, who were either career people or had impeccable […]
PRESIDENT Duterte’s presidency has been an amazing one, which has changed the course of Philippine history. His breakthroughs though can still be reversed if incoming President Ferdinand (“Bongbong”) Marcos slows down his predecessor’s momentum, or even just moderates it. Already, I’ve heard of some calling the new president, “A kinder, gentler Duterte.” If BBM indeed […]
“REGULATORY capture” is a political-science term, which its critics say, however, is merely a polite term for a specific instance of what we commonly refer to as “graft and corruption.” It refers to the oh-so-common phenomenon of capitalists co-opting regulators — whether bribes are involved or not — to the extent of bending the rules […]
MORE precisely its repair crew’s unbelievable incompetence, or negligence, did. Here’s what happened. The other day, at about 6 p.m., right after a thunderstorm in our village, power conked out in our part of the area. It usually does as Meralco’s corporate philosophy is: don’t fix it if ain’t broke. Never mind if many of […]
PRESIDENT-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. will be the country’s first president ever to be concurrently secretary of agriculture. It may have its advantages, but it also has serious disadvantages, and even risks. There are three precedents for a president holding a portfolio during his term, but only for the Defense secretary post: Manuel Quezon (five months […]
