COCKTALES | Aboitizes make twice more money, but get a fifth of Zobels' pay
The Aboitizes, long described as the Ayalas of Cebu, may have eclipsed Ayala Corp in market capitalization and profitability, but their holding company, Aboitiz Equity Ventures, still trails Ayala Corp…
Read More »
COWARD'S INBOX | How bosses reject requests for vacation leave
Generally, management is lenient in granting time off for employees to attend to their personal business or enjoy rest and relaxation, particularly during the summer holidays. But not necessarily.
COSTS OF CAPITULATION | Strategic implications of Philippine response in Taiwan crisis
The Philippines' actions in relation to the killing of the Taiwanese fisherman off Batanes has long-term effects on the military command, overseas employment, and its dispute with China over West Philippine Sea. Military historian Jose Antonio A. Custodio details these effects
MEL STA.MARIA | Grading the 3-year performance of President Noynoy Aquino
Overall, I have to say 'congratulations Mr. President.' It was not an excellent three years for you. But neither were they the worst. Your efforts were fairly and admirably good given the institutional and practical limitations of the Presidency you had to navigate in solving huge problems.
COCKTALES | Lucio Tan leaves Manila, jumps over Makati, for the friendlier tax environs of Taguig
Taipan Lucio Tan has quietly moved his P280-billion holding company out of Manila and relocated the corporate headquarters to Taguig.
FOCUS | China may be fanning flames of Taiwanese anger with PH - expert
Since the fatal shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman off Batanes on May 9, there has been no confirmed violence against OFWs directly linked to it, boosting the possibility -- as raised by an expert -- that Beijing may be fanning the heat as a test case as it continues its bullying in the South China S
MUSINGS ON TAIWAN MESS | Confucius says...
Susan Ople is a migrant workers' rights advocate. A former labor undersecretary, she now heads the Blas F. Ople Labor Center. Here is her take on the ongoing word war between the Philippines and Taiwan over the killing of a 65-year-old Taiwanese fisherman off Batanes waters last May 9.
COCKTALES | Ayala, SM rivalry leads to roadblock, regulatory capture
The Fort transmogrified into a gridlocked Makati on Friday and over into the weekend as the rivalry between developers SM and Ayala-government combine spilled over to a road blockade that marred the rushed opening of the SM Aura mall within the former military base.
MANUEL BUENCAMINO | Post-election round-up
The election of Cayetano, Binay, Angara, Pimentel, Ejercito indicates that dynasty is a non-issue for voters. I hope the anti-dynasty crowd accepts the voters' will instead of trying to frustrate this by lobbying for a law prohibiting good people with the same bloodline from being elected.
MEL STA.MARIA | Mar Roxas could be president in 2016
Mar Roxas may have lost the 2010 vice presidential race, but several key factors that arose in the course of the 2013 election campaign, and its outcome, seem to augur well for a 2016 run for the presidency--a chance he gave up to allow Noynoy Aquino to run, and win.
JESSICA ZAFRA | Etiquette for social media
Instead of making people wait while you shoot their food, put the food on your plate, and then take the picture. It's more considerate. Remember: When people are hungry they can become violent, and you really can't expect public sympathy if they rip your head off.
Elections 2013: Mapping the battleground provinces and cities
The intense focus on the Team PNoy versus UNA race in the Senate has obscured the equally important proxy fight between the two coalitions to gain control of key vote rich provinces and cities that will serve as the backbone of the presidential campaign in 2016.
Meritocracy or elite democracy? An assessment of the 2013 senatorial bets
What does the list of 33 senatorial candidates tell us about our political system - in terms of women empowerment, power of political clans, and education? Is the electoral system more inclusive? Does it provide a chance for the marginalized to get into the game?
MARIE YUVIENCO | Has the Peter Principle caught up with Sixto Brillantes?
The road to the precincts, it is said, is paved with good intentions.
LOSING GROUND | How PH has handled Sabah, West Philippine Sea disputes over the years
There is a pattern in how the Philippines has handled its territorial disputes, both in Sabah and the West Philippine Sea. Here, historian and security expert Jose Antonio Custodio details that pattern and prescribes a solution to break out of the pattern.
MEL STA.MARIA | Comelec move to cap withdrawals is unconstitutional
This resolution is unconstitutionally 'ultra vires', meaning, beyond the powers of the Comelec. The Comelec has no power to regulate the amount of money an individual may hold. Comelec Resolution 9688 has no constitutional and statutory basis. In that respect, it is arbitrary and oppressive.
COMICS | Where is the source code?
On Tuesday, an advocacy group posted a infographic on its Facebook page, scoring the Commission on Elections' alleged foot-dragging on the release of the source code, the set of instructions used to run automated equipment to be used in the May 13 polls.
MEL STA.MARIA | A constitutional right that should not be exercised
On May 13, 2013, there is one constitutional right which you should not exercise and that is your constitutional right not to vote. There is always virtue in actively participating in the elections as a democratic exercise.
EDITORIAL | Investment or grade? A tale of two countries
In the race to achieve investment grade status, the Philippines gets the grade, but Indonesia's still hogging the investments. Here's why.
