Filling rice bowls
By Marvin Tort
The Marcos II Administration wants the country to achieve rice self-sufficiency in four years. It aims that by 2027 the Philippines can produce all...
When equality is discrimination
By Jemy Gatdula
Last February the US House of Representatives passed the Equality Bill. If it gets through the Senate, it will simply be one of the most devastating laws ever passed by any country in history.
Further imperiling Philippine rice
THE government’s accelerated move to impose rice tariffs and lift quantitative restrictions on rice imports is touted to ease inflation. It comes with a heavy price in the long term, however, as it puts in peril the livelihood of millions of Filipino rice farmers. Amid runaway inflation triggered by its regressive tax reform program, the Duterte administration, in an unprecedented and probably Constitutionally questionable move, issued Administrative Order (AO) 13 ahead of the passage of a Rice Tariffication Bill. The President himself even declared that the country can now import as much rice as it wants.
The ‘invisible hand’ or the ‘visible hand’?
By Eric D. U. Gutierrez
A basic economic concept I learned in school is the “invisible hand” — the metaphor Adam Smith used for the unseen forces of self-interest...
Gang rape
By Greg B. Macabenta
Senate President Tito Sotto deserves the Best Actor Award for his melodramatic declaration that he was for “withdrawing” the Senate version of the 2019 national budget and for using the 2018 reenacted budget because he was “sick and tired” of allegations of massive pork barrel insertions made by members of Congress.
Black and Blue Christmas
By Diwa C. Guinigundo
It could have been one of Warren Buffet’s biggest opportunity losses, that deal with See’s Candies. “I almost blew the See’s purchase. The seller was asking for $30 million, and I was adamant about not going above $25 million.” Fortunately for Buffet, See’s seller agreed to his price. Buffet’s investment has given him over $2 billion in pre-tax income. With his investment, the chocolate factory has increased its annual earnings from $30 million in annual revenues to more than $380 million in sales and $80 million in profits.
Filling in the gaps with Responsible Citizenship
By Venice Isabelle Rañosa
Filipinos have been mired in agony for more than a year now as the country grapples to address the COVID-19 pandemic. During these hard times, income, job security, and affordable prices of goods and services are the most urgent concerns.
Visual clues
By Maria Victoria Rufino
The medium that has a great impact on the public is television. Radio has a broader reach. Social media has become the most effective...
The iconic book on Makati: Fifty Years and Forward
By Maria Victoria Rufino
“It has been interesting to follow through the unique role that the leaders of Ayala played in the evolution of the Makati Central Business District, from concept, to planning, and ultimately, to execution,” revealed Fernando Zóbel de Ayala, chairman of Ayala Land, president and CEO of Ayala Corp., in the newly launched book on the development of Makati, Fifty Years and Forward.
Building name recall
By Maria Victoria Rufino
It is a natural human desire to be acknowledged.
For one’s talent in the arts, a scientific invention, the contribution to the community and society,...
3D and beyond
By Laurence Go
Action for Economic Reforms (AER) has been piloting its data-driven development (3D) program in the Philippines since 2020, with the support of both the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the European Union (EU).
Rethinking Regional Alliances: An opportunity for the next government
By Victor Andres C. Manhit
The evolving nature of security threats in the Indo-Pacific has underscored the importance of multilateral cooperation and inclusiveness.