The COVID-19 pandemic that the world is experiencing now teaches every nation and everyone several lessons – discipline and responsibility towards other people, the importance of life and health and the importance of family and home. As more and more are getting infected with the virus infection, some nations are experiencing overwhelmed healthcare system. In the Philippines, there are hospitals in the National Capital Region that has more than 100% of hospital bed occupancy for COVID-19 patients and even the isolation and quarantine facilities are almost full. Healthcare workers are not enough to attend to all patients, and they too, got infected. It was very unfortunate to learned that some…

The Philippines may be surrounded with water but there’s an enormous problem on enough, clean and safe water, especially for human consumption. Water.org noted that “out of 101 million Filipinos, nine million rely on unimproved, unsafe and unsustainable water sources and 19 million lack access to improved sanitation.” “Families without a safe water source in or near their home often spend significant time and energy collecting water. Those without a sanitary toilet facility at home face a number of unattractive choices, including venturing out at night or suffering the embarrassment of asking to use the toilet of a neighbor. Thus, Filipinos consider water and sanitation access a matter of safety,…

“Rape is a most grave offense against the dignity of women, a violation of body and spirit, a trauma hard to erase,” the supreme pontiff said in his message during the visit in the Philippines. The Pope Francis himself said it aloud. But will the government officials and authorities seriously act to end it? Almost everyday, we read news about women and even infants being raped and, worst, killed. And yet the victims get no justice. Suspects can freely repeat their crime. Death penalty can never deter crimes. Rather, it’s overhauling the justice system in the country and electing the right leaders. It’s interesting to read what the model Kat…

Freedom of expression — this is something that people today value and exercise. Yet, there are some who blatantly abuse this freedom, not caring about the impact and effect of their expression will be. It will be easy enough to bring a fender passport venue to a high traffic area and start blaring out your opinion on the latest issues or whatever it is that you feel strongly about. In your practice of your freedom to express yourself, have you ever thought about what rights of other people you might be encroaching on? You might not realize it but you could be stepping on other people’s rights and freedom as…

“I invoke my right against self-incrimination.”  These are the only words that are expected to come out of Janet Napoles’ mouth when she appears at the Senate inquiry on the pork barrel scam on November 7. (Photo credit to the owner.) But what was the Philippine law says about this right? Section 12, Article III of the 1987 Philippine Constitution reads: SEC. 12. (1) Any person under investigation for the commission of an offense shall have the right to be informed of his right to remain silent and to have competent and independent counsel preferably of his own choice. If the person cannot afford the services of counsel, he must be…

Three Years after the Manila hostage crisis that resulted in 8 fatalities and many wounded, the Hong Kong government is still adamantly demanding an apology from the Philippine president. It has threatened to impose sanctions if a presidential apology is not given. Sanctions include scrapping visa-free access to Filipinos with other unspecified economic sanctions. They would also most likely include the Philippines in a travel blacklist. (Photo credit to the owner.) If these sanctions are put in place, Filipinos looking for employment in Hong Kong may be affected by this but there are plenty of other options for them. For Filipino tourists, this would hardly be a problem as there…