On aging and exercise
When we are young we take exercise for granted. We postpone that call for the easy way out in favor of work, work, work, and partying and less demanding leisure.
What I like about Simbang Gabi
The nine days of waking up at 4:30 in the morning to be at Mass at 5 (I am a fast dresser—and would you believe that period includes a bath and a half-mile walk to church?) may be a pain in the behind, but that’s all a part of the preparation.
Implement the Reproductive Health Law fully
President Duterte, in his State of the Nation address, said the government would undertake full implementation of the law. In fact, family planning as envisioned by the law is one of the 10 points of his economic program. Lack of attention might have happened due to the focus on the war on illegal drugs.
Not human
The true scandal of the current drug war is that it is run by old men who operate on old ideas and obsolete knowledge. It therefore subjects citizens to what is ultimately an unnecessary—and therefore unjust—ordeal.
‘Kingmaker’ at CHEd
Where does Commission on Higher Education Executive Director Julito Vitriolo get off trying to bamboozle CHEd and Malacañang to force its chair, Patricia Licuanan, to resign and replace her with newly appointed CHEd commissioner Prospero de Vera?
Uncertain international economy under a Trump-led US
The international economy faces uncertain prospects in 2017. The march toward globalization and prosperity has been interrupted by a series of surprise events as 2016 is closing.
Government “underspending” in perspective: Incompetence, inertia, or indigestion?
The measured underspending over the last 5 years has more to do with ambitious targets rather than apathetic or incompetent bureaucrats.
This is a national problem
The President’s mental and physical health is certainly cause for grave concern for the Filipino people. Who are his doctors? What do they say about it? And this is not an invasion of his privacy, either. The President’s health is everybody’s business.
The tax reform program: social and economic implications
More elaboration is coming out from the Duterte government concerning the tax reform package now in Congress. In particular, I refer to Tax Reform Package 1.
EJKs: crunching the numbers
In a recent interview with Senator Gordon, chair of the Senate subcommittee investigating EJKs, he could not or would not answer the question of whether EJKs in the Philippines had increased under the Duterte administration. I did not pursue the matter.
Peso depreciation: causes and implications
Last week, the peso breached 50 pesos per one US dollar. Until August, it was 46 pesos to the dollar on average. This means the peso has depreciated by as much as 8.7 percent since August. One thing is sure, the peso rate will fluctuate some more.
