Duterte campaigned on being a “change” politician – a breath of fresh air from the putrid-smelling “trapos”. But with the order to arrest Trillanes, it’s business as usual in our banana republic. Tale as old as time, song as old as rhyme, a banana republic makes a beast. By José Victor ‘Jayvee’ Salameña From the ⇒

The push for a federal republic is no joke. Charter change, especially federalism, has far-reaching ramifications, and we need to have serious discussions about this draft constitution. By José Victor ‘Jayvee’ Salameña (This editorial is rated SPG for Language and Sex) The first modern republic – the United States – did not have a smooth ⇒

By Jose Victor ‘Jayvee’ Salameña In Duterte’s push for a shift towards a federal republic, a dialogue has begun on whether elements of Westminster-style Parliamentary governance should be included in the proposed charter change. Often, proponents of a Parliamentary system use the term the “imperial presidency” to criticize the vast powers that are bestowed upon ⇒

The national debt is equal to 48 percent of the 6.8-percent GDP in the first quarter of this year. By Adam Ang Bulatlat.com MANILA–Taxpayers would have to subsidize private profits and shoulder debts incurred through domestic and foreign borrowings due to the Build, Build, Build (BBB) infrastructure program of the Duterte administration, an independent economic ⇒

Research group IBON said that despite recently hyped growth of 6.8% in first quarter 2018 the country’s jobs situation continues to worsen under the Duterte administration. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the employment rate grew slightly to 94.5% in April 2018, while the unemployment rate was lower at 5.5 percent. The jobs situation ⇒

Duterte’s Damnation and Lincoln’s Redemption The 16th President of a religious nation not being religious? It’s just another similarity between Rodrigo Duterte and his hero Abraham Lincoln, both 16th Presidents of their respective republics.  But, though the question remains hotly contested by historians to this very day, there is ample evidence that suggests Lincoln, who ⇒

Philippines: Anti-loitering’ arrests target poor MANILA–The Philippine National Police (PNP) should immediately end a “crime prevention” campaign that has disproportionately targeted “loiterers” in low-income areas of Manila and other cities, Human Rights Watch said on June 26. Since June 13, 2018, police have arrested more than 8,000 people and detained many in detention facilities already ⇒

What could possibly explain the exclusion of these giant conglomerates – two of the biggest not only in the Philippines but also in the Asian region? By ARNOLD PADILLA Bulatlat.com MANILA — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has recently released a list of 20 firms that it said are engaged or suspected to ⇒

Lilipas na naman ang taunang paggunita ng Araw ng Kalayaan tuwing Hunyo 12. Anang itinuturo sa mga bata mula elementarya, nagdeklara ang Pilipinas ang kanyang kalayaan noong araw na iyon sa taong 1898 sa Cavite El Viejo (ngayo’y Kawit, Cavite) sa bintana ng kanyang tahanan ang binansagang unang pangulo ng Republika ng Pilipinas na si ⇒

On June 12, 1898, Philippine independence was declared in a ceremony in Kawit, Cavite. For the first time, the national flag made by Marcela Agoncillo in Hongkong was raised, while the bands played Marcha National Filipina written by Julian Felipe. Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista wrote and read the Declaration of Independence. Aguinaldo announced the separation of ⇒