After President Rodrigo Duterte met with Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines Romulo Valles in Malacanang last Monday, the President’s barkers said that the two agreed on a “ceasefire.”
Ceasefire? What does this even mean?
Does this mean that the President will no longer call God stupid, or question His existence, or attack the faith of the millions of Filipinos?
On the part of the CBCP president, does this mean that the Catholic Church will no longer question all the killings under the administration’s campaign against drugs, and lawless environment and the culture of impunity?
Will the Catholic church and the faithful now be cowed into silence?
Will the Church refrain from telling the faithful about the Reproductive Health Law and the plan to restore the death penalty?
I have my doubts about this so-called ceasefire. While the Church will likely have a stand on issues of morality and faith, the government will most likely invoke the separation of church and state.
I cannot envision any ceasefire so long as we have a President like Rodrigo Duterte.
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I am concerned about the plans of the national government to increase its borrowings from domestic sources, mainly from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and outside, by a staggering P1.19 trillion, which is 20 percent higher than this year’s numbers.
If I am worried about our propensity for borrowing, so should the people, especially the poor. This will mean higher inflation where prices of commodities will continue to rise.
The value of the peso is determined by the law of supply and demand. When the supply of money is constant or decreases at a slow, steady rate, the purchasing power of money will also relatively stabilize. In contrast, when the supply of money expands rapidly, compared to the supply of goods and services, the value of money declines. Consequently, prices rise.
The poor suffer most with inflation.
This is my worry because when the poor can no longer afford goods and services, they resort to crime.
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The latest survey of Pulse Asia on the likely winners in the 2019 senatorial race is significant in many ways.
The ranking of candidates simply shows that the respondents are aware of who are in the running, and that re-electionists and former senators stand a better chance at winning.
Senator Grace Poe for instance is seen top the polls because she was a presidential candidates in 2016. People still remember her.
The inclusion of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, meanwhile, comes as no surprise. She is not only known as the presidential daughter. She is a popular local executive with a strong will and firm resolve.
However, I have my doubts about former PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa. He was popular, sure, because he spoke with media every day. But as we know, popularity is not a sure ticket to the Senate.
The poll placed Pia Cayetano as a likely top winner, along with Senator Cynthia Villar. They are known for their achievements. They are joined by Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, and Senator Nancy Binay.
Other possible winners are former Senator Sergio Osmeña and Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos.
I would say that Marcos, once she starts campaigning, could even improve her standing.
Meanwhile, the President would not do well to risk making Bong Go a senatorial candidate.
Who I would like to see at the Senate is former Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino, who placed 13th during the 2016 polls.
Then again, anything can happen.
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It’s a mystery to me what the Climate Change Commission is for. What is it doing to mitigate climate change? What is doing, exactly? According to reports, it has a budget of P2 billion. I am told that its commissioners often attend conventions and seminars.
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