Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, the representative of the first district of Leyte who deftly maneuvered before the election the disqualification of his female opponent for the position, and the unfortunate withdrawal of another, is speaking as if he has already clinched the speakership of the 20th Congress.

Speaker shows new solons the ropes

On July 12, those who care to remember will celebrate the first decade of the much-ballyhooed ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague—the case filed by former president Benigno Noynoy Aquino against China over the ownership of certain islets, shoals and reefs in the South China Sea.

Nine fuzzy years of the Arbitral ruling

July may well be considered as West Philippines Sea (WPS) Month by the local adherents of the legitimacy of Noynoy Aquino’s concept and name for this patch of sea west of the Philippines and south of China.

Jingoism rears its ugly head in July

There is an explosive debate brewing in Eastern Visayas, one that is fought in the halls of the House of Representatives.

Richard Gomez vs Jude Acidre

The problem of floods in various places in Laguna has become extreme—and the province’s mayors and especially its new governor, Sol Aragones, can only face up to this issue even if the hard way.

Joaquin Sy, RSA, and Laguna’s flood problem

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno will hit the ground running in trying to solve the mountains and hills of the urban jungle—the uncollected garbage mounds that the Ate who seldom smiles left in many parts of the city.  I call this Honey’s revenge.

Aragones, San Luis on water problem

Being born poor and wanting to genuinely help in  boosting family income, Senator Lito Lapid struggled at a young age to find employment in rural Porac, Pampanga, his hometown.  He found odd work as camera caretaker and stuntman in the movies where his uncle, the late Jess Lapid, was able to make a name and thus open up opportunities for the Lapid clan to also try showbiz.

Lito Lapid and science education

When United Nations special rapporteur on freedom of expression Irene Khan was doing the rounds of the country in January 2024, she visited the so-called Tacloban 5 led by Frenchie Mae Castro Cumpio at the Tacloban City Jail.

Tacloban’s Frenchie Mae Cumpio revisited 

THERE is an attempt in the Martin Romualdez-led House of Representatives to revive Charter Change (Cha-cha), this latest move initiated by one of Speaker Romualdez's loyal attack dogs, the Ako Bicol party-list.

Cha-cha just to include WPS?

In a meeting with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan on June 17, Chinese President Xi Jinping commented on the ongoing war between Israel and Iran, saying:  “Military does not provide a solution.  All parties should work to deescalate the conflict as soon as possible.”

US predisposed to war; China wants peace

VIEW FROM CALUMPANG Column Diego Cagahastian and Raffy Sarnate

VIEW FROM CALUMPANG

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