Gucci ushers in a very Mariah Christmas

 

The Italian luxury fashion house celebrates the season with Mariah Carey in New York

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Mariah Carey (Photos: Gucci)

In celebration of the house’s holiday campaign, Gucci and Mariah Carey hosted an exclusive cocktail reception at the House’s New York Fifth Avenue flagship. Guests were welcomed into the boutique’s newly opened Gucci Apartmento, a private space on the third floor designed for a more exclusive experience. The space was transformed with elaborate festive décor evoking the joyful spirit of the campaign.

Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed passed canapés accompanied by limoncello mules, spiked apple cider, and white wine, while an a cappella choir delivered a special performance of Mariah’s iconic “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” alongside a selection of her greatest hits. Following the performance, Mariah delighted guests by personally presenting them with a holiday gift of chocolates adorned with the Gucci logo, adding a festive and intimate touch to the celebration.

Lily Chee and Izzi Allain (Photo: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Gucci)

Gucci and Mariah Carey celebrate the new Gucci Gift Holiday Campaign with a festive cocktail in NYC at Gucci Fifth Avenue on November 02, 2026 in New York City. (Photo: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Gucci)

Captured by Harmony Korine, the Gucci holiday campaign unfolds within a hotel transformed in anticipation of Mariah’s arrival. Elaborate decorations and festive preparations imbue the setting with an exuberant spirit that is distinctly Gucci.

Set to the iconic sounds of “All I Want For Christmas Is You” song, the film ushers in the holiday season with a sense of occasion and a touch of magic. Throughout, Mariah takes center stage in the new Butterfly special collection, inspired by the iridescent beauty of the butterfly, a signature motif of the singer.

Lasting urban improvement matters more than temporary beautification

 

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published Nov 12, 2026 12:03 am | Updated Nov 11, 2026 04:36 pm

In a few days, world leaders will descend on Metro Manila for the 49th ASEAN Summit and related meetings. For three days beginning Nov. 16, the Philippines will present its best in diplomacy, cuisine, culture, talent, and the hospitality for which Filipinos are known.

Naturally, we want to put our best foot forward. Streets must be clean, public spaces orderly, and routes safe for visiting dignitaries. This is not up for debate. But when preparing for an international gathering means concealing what we would rather not show, a question emerges: Are we cleaning up Metro Manila, or simply covering it up?

Along J.W. Diokno Boulevard in Pasay, large barriers displaying works by Filipino National Artists have been installed. Critics say the partitions hide poverty and homelessness from foreign visitors. There are also reports of street dwellers being moved away and vendors being told to stop operating around summit venues.

Malacañang insists the clearing operations are necessary security and traffic measures, not merely cosmetic improvements. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro has pointed to the responsibility of protecting nearly 20 visiting heads of state and their delegations. That responsibility is real. Hosting leaders of several nations requires precautions, and security officials cannot simply ignore potential risks.

To be fair, this administration is hardly the first to spruce up the capital before a major international event. Previous governments also cleaned roads, repainted walls, removed obstructions, and presented the city in its most flattering light. The impetus to impress visitors has long been part of hosting.

But temporary order comes at a cost when it interrupts livelihoods. Small vendors in Pasay have been required to suspend operations. The Department of Social Welfare and Development has provided food packs and financial assistance to affected vendors. That is welcome, but assistance should not become an excuse to overlook the difficulties of people who depend on daily earnings.

There is also a glaring observation circulating online: If roads can be cleaned, sidewalks cleared, and public spaces improved for foreign delegates, why can this not be done consistently for areas in Metro Manila that need it the most?

Surely, Filipino commuters deserve safe walkways even when no president or prime minister is visiting. Families deserve clean neighborhoods long after the summit banners have been taken down. Street vendors deserve organized, lawful spaces where they can earn a living without the constant risk of sudden displacement.

And those living on the streets deserve something more substantial than a temporary transfer beyond the cameras' reach. Poverty is not an unsightly object that can be hidden behind plywood, canvas, or attractive murals. It is a condition that calls for housing, employment, social services, and sustained attention.

The proper response, therefore, is not to abandon cleanliness or security. It is to make both permanent and humane. City governments must coordinate regular sanitation, waste management, sidewalk maintenance, public housing, and livelihood arrangements. National agencies must support programs that address the causes—not merely the appearance—of urban blight.

Summit guests will eventually fly home. The barricades will come down, traffic will return, and the people whose lives were disrupted will still be here.

The success of the summit should be measured not only by diplomatic agreements and impressive ceremonies, but also by what remains afterward.

May this gathering become an occasion to finally improve Metro Manila for the long term. When another international event descends on our shores, we should have no reason to mask the city's real face because we have worked to make it truly cleaner, safer, and better.

Separation of powers: Pillar of good governance

 

 Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published Nov 10, 2026 12:05 am

The principle of separation of powers is among the most important safeguards of our democracy. Enshrined in the 1987 Constitution, it establishes three co-equal branches of government – the Executive, the Legislative, and the Judiciary – each with clearly defined powers and responsibilities. Their independence, complemented by a system of checks and balances, ensures that no single branch can exercise excessive or unchecked authority.

This is not merely a constitutional doctrine for lawyers and government officials to debate. It has direct consequences for every Filipino. When power is concentrated in one branch, accountability suffers, public resources become vulnerable to misuse, and citizens risk being deprived of their rights. Good governance requires not only effective leadership but also institutional restraints against the abuse of authority.

Our recent political history offers important lessons.

During the administration of President Benigno Aquino III, the Supreme Court’s 2013 ruling declaring the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) unconstitutional demonstrated the importance of judicial independence. The subsequent ruling in Araullo v. Aquino on the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) further affirmed that even the Executive’s pursuit of economic development must remain within constitutional limits. No good intention can justify an unconstitutional exercise of power.

The administration of President Rodrigo Duterte tested institutional independence in other ways. The removal of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno through a controversial quo warranto proceeding, the extension of martial law in Mindanao, and questions surrounding accountability for the government’s anti-drug campaign raised fundamental concerns about the capacity of institutions to exercise independent judgment. Congress, in particular, must not allow political alignment with the President to diminish its constitutional responsibility to scrutinize executive actions.

Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the importance of these safeguards has again come into sharp focus, particularly in the preparation and enactment of national budgets. The Supreme Court’s Oct. 20, 2026 decision declaring unconstitutional major provisions of the 2024, 2025, and 2026 General Appropriations Acts provides a compelling reminder that even Congress cannot exceed constitutional boundaries.

The Court struck down the ₱449.5-billion increase in unprogrammed appropriations under the 2024 budget and the ₱17.99-billion increase in the 2025 Special Road Fund. It also invalidated two provisions of the 2026 budget. Importantly, it ruled that the constitutional ceiling on appropriations recommended by the President applies to the combined programmed and unprogrammed appropriations.

The Court’s scrutiny of the bicameral conference committee was particularly significant. Its authority, the Court emphasized, extends only to reconciling actual disagreements between the House and Senate versions of a bill. The absence of adequate records explaining budgetary changes and supporting documentation underscored the need for greater transparency and accountability in the legislative process.

The ruling carries a stern warning: the doctrine of operative fact protects beneficiaries who relied in good faith on irreversible government programs, but does not automatically shield the authors, proponents, and implementors of unconstitutional provisions from possible civil, criminal, or administrative liability.

Congress must take this decision to heart. Its power of the purse is not an unrestricted license to manipulate appropriations, circumvent constitutional ceilings, or introduce provisions that evade meaningful public scrutiny. Neither political alliances nor bicameral compromises can supersede the Constitution.

The three branches need not be adversaries. They must cooperate in addressing national challenges. But cooperation must never mean capitulation. Checks and balances are not obstacles to governance; they are indispensable instruments for making it accountable, transparent, and responsive.

Ultimately, the Constitution is not a document to be invoked selectively when politically convenient. It is the supreme law that binds everyone, especially those entrusted with public authority. Congress must remember that its members are sworn to uphold the Constitution, not merely to serve their political parties or protect the administration of the day.

The Filipino people deserve a government in which no branch is above the law. The strength of our democracy is measured not by how much power its leaders can accumulate, but by how faithfully they respect the constitutional limits on that power.

When every peso hurts

 

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published Nov 7, 2026 12:05 am | 

Updated Nov 6, 2026 06:11 pm

For a taxi driver who went to market with ₱100, the day’s arithmetic was painfully simple. A small carrot cost ₱60. Cabbage cost even more. He returned home without either, carrying the money but not the vegetables he had hoped to buy.

That small disappointment captures a national emergency unfolding quietly in kitchens, markets, and neighborhood stores. Inflation reached 7.8 percent last October, its highest in 44 months. More troubling, the purchasing power of the peso fell to a record low: ₱1 today buys only what 72 centavos could buy at 2018 prices.

For families already stretching every peso, this is not an abstract economic indicator. It means less food on the table, another postponed purchase, or a difficult choice between commuting to work and paying the electricity bill.

The burden falls most heavily on those least able to absorb it. Inflation among the country’s poorest households—the bottom 30 percent by income—reached 9.5 percent last month, much higher than the national headline rate. Rice prices for these households rose by nearly a fourth, while transport costs jumped by over a fifth. The essentials of daily survival are becoming increasingly expensive. Unlike better-off households, these families have little room to switch brands, cut discretionary spending, or draw on savings. When prices climb, the sacrifice is immediate and personal.

Nor is relief necessarily around the corner. Private-sector economists expect inflation to breach eight percent this month, with some also anticipating another substantial interest rate increase in December. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has warned that elevated inflation could persist, keeping borrowing costs high and adding pressure on households as well as businesses alike.

Across social media, small entrepreneurs describe another painful calculation. Customers are buying less, operating costs keep climbing, while many business owners say taxes and compliance expenses are squeezing what little income remains. Reports of shops closing across the country should concern policymakers: every shuttered storefront can mean a family losing its livelihood and workers losing their wages.

Some businesses warn they can hold prices only until Christmas, with increases likely by January as they try to recover costs early next year. The holiday season may therefore offer little comfort to families already wondering how to afford a modest celebration.

The government has not been idle. Support for farmers, fuel subsidies, direct marketing programs, and efforts to stabilize electricity costs are important. But one-time assistance, especially when timed around Christmas, cannot substitute for a durable response to an erosion of purchasing power that has accumulated over years.

What is needed is a coordinated effort to make basic goods cheaper to produce and deliver. Agricultural productivity, reliable irrigation, affordable energy, better transport logistics, and faster movement of food from farms to markets deserve sustained attention. Price monitoring must be paired with action against supply bottlenecks, not merely announcements after prices have risen.

Small businesses also need breathing room: simpler compliance, accessible working capital, predictable rules, as well as practical support to manage energy and transport expenses. Assistance should help enterprises keep their doors open and preserve jobs, not leave them dependent on occasional relief.

The challenge is urgent but not beyond government action. Agencies must work together, measure whether interventions actually lower costs, and adjust quickly when they do not. Families need more than assurances that help is coming; they need to feel the difference at the market stall and the checkout counter.

A Christmas cash handout may buy a meal. A lasting policy response can help ensure that next Christmas, families can afford one without having to ask for help.

New taxes, but at what cost to Filipinos?

 

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published Nov 4, 2026 12:05 am | Updated Nov 3, 2026 06:20 pm

The government’s pursuit of additional revenues is a crucial test for the country. Will plugging tax leakages strengthen the Philippine economy, or will ordinary Filipinos once again shoulder the cost of fiscal consolidation?

The Department of Finance (DOF) is currently examining the removal of the ₱10,000 de minimis import threshold and an additional tax on online gambling. While both proposals promise potential revenue gains, their consequences deserve scrutiny beyond the government’s collection targets.

Under Section 423 of Republic Act 10863, or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, imported goods valued at ₱10,000 or below are exempt from customs duties and taxes. The DOF argues that this exemption disadvantages local manufacturers, whose products are generally subject to taxation, particularly as cross-border e-commerce expands.

There is merit in addressing this imbalance. Requiring imported goods to bear appropriate taxes could level the competitive playing field, encourage consumers to consider locally manufactured alternatives, protect domestic enterprises, and potentially support jobs. Additional collections could also finance infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other public services.

But eliminating the threshold is not automatically equitable. Many Filipinos use online platforms to purchase affordable clothing, household necessities, school supplies, and other goods unavailable or more expensive locally. Import duties and applicable taxes could increase their prices, disproportionately affecting low-income households already struggling with inflation and limited purchasing power.

Moreover, taxing inexpensive imports will not automatically revive local manufacturing. Domestic producers must also address production costs, infrastructure constraints, productivity, and competitiveness. Without stronger local industries and efficient customs administration, consumers could simply pay more without receiving better alternatives.

The proposed online gambling tax presents a different opportunity. Former Finance Secretary Ralph Recto had estimated that an additional 10-percentage-point levy on gross gaming revenues, on top of the approximately 38 percent currently collected through existing government charges and taxes, could generate another ₱20 billion annually.

Such revenue could finance public hospitals, addiction-treatment programs, education, and social protection. A higher tax could also discourage excessive gambling if operators pass some of the additional cost to players. However, this outcome is not guaranteed. Excessive taxation could push some bettors toward illegal platforms, undermining regulation and collections. Effective enforcement, responsible-gambling safeguards, and monitoring must accompany any new levy.

Could this become another sin-tax success story?

The comparison with tobacco and alcohol taxation is instructive, but not exact. Philippine sin-tax laws demonstrate how excise collections can support public health financing. Republic Act 11346 and related legislation allocate portions of tobacco and alcohol tax revenues to PhilHealth and health programs. An online gambling levy could adopt a similar earmarking mechanism, directing a defined share toward addiction prevention, mental-health services, and treatment.

However, unlike tobacco and alcohol taxes, gambling taxation must contend with rapidly evolving digital platforms and potentially offshore operators. Collection and enforcement therefore require specialized capabilities.

The government's simultaneous consideration of travel-tax abolition and general tax amnesty further complicates the revenue equation. Removing the travel tax could ease expenses for departing Filipinos, while a carefully designed amnesty might encourage tax compliance. Yet foregone collections must be matched by credible alternative revenues.

Ultimately, revenue generation should not be measured solely by how much the government collects, but by how effectively those taxes improve people’s lives.

Before imposing new taxes, policymakers must establish who pays, who benefits, how much is collected, and whether the promised economic gains outweigh the added burdens. Transparency, impact assessments, and measurable public benefits should be non-negotiable.

Filipinos need a government that closes genuine tax loopholes without turning every economic activity into another revenue opportunity. The real test of fiscal policy is not whether government coffers grow, but whether public welfare grows with them.

Life is short—why not do good?

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published Nov 1, 2026 12:05 am

Today, Nov. 1, is All Saints’ Day, which this year falls on a Sunday, a day traditionally devoted to worship, family, and reflection. Tomorrow, All Souls’ Day, Filipinos will continue the tradition of remembering departed loved ones, visiting cemeteries, offering prayers, and passing on traditions that have endured through generations.

Beyond these traditions, however, these two days carry a message that deserves greater reflection: Life is fragile, and our time on earth is limited.

No one knows when that time will end. What seems like an ordinary day could be someone’s last. Not everyone has the privilege of knowing when the final chapter of life will be written.

Even popular culture has reminded us of this reality. More than two decades ago, a band composed of brothers released a song titled “If Life Is So Short,” which asked a simple question about love before time runs out. As sappy as its message may sound, it reveals a truth that is often forgotten in the rush of everyday living.

If life is indeed so short, why not make the most of it? Why not love more, forgive more, and above all, do good?

These questions become more relevant in a world where the headlines are increasingly dominated by crime, violence, corruption, and suffering. There seems to be an endless supply of reasons to become cynical, angry, and hopeless.

Economic uncertainties have added to this prevailing gloom. Inflation, the peso’s exchange rate, and the rising cost of living weigh heavily on Filipino families. With the holiday season approaching, many households are wondering how they can celebrate Christmas meaningfully without spending beyond their means.

Yet amid these difficulties, kindness remains something that does not require wealth. A helping hand, an honest gesture, a comforting word, or a simple act of generosity can make a difference in another person’s life.

Doing good need not involve grand gestures. Sometimes, it begins with choosing honesty when dishonesty offers greater rewards, compassion when indifference seems easier, and humility when power encourages arrogance.

Consider the continuing allegations of corruption, kickbacks, and suitcases supposedly filled with money. Those implicated may possess financial advantages that ordinary Filipinos can only imagine. But these controversies raise a fundamental question about greed: How much is enough?

How many millions—or billions—must one accumulate to satisfy an appetite for wealth? Financial security is certainly important, and providing for one’s family is a legitimate aspiration. But at what expense? At whose expense? And ultimately, to what end?

No amount of money can purchase another lifetime. Wealth and influence cannot guarantee immunity from mortality. In death, the powerful and the powerless face the same inevitable destination.

This is not an argument against ambition or prosperity. Rather, it is a reminder that success should never be measured solely by what we accumulate, but also by what we contribute and by the lives we touch.

As families gather around the graves of their loved ones today, they will remember not merely the possessions left behind, but the love, generosity, sacrifices, and kindness that made those lives meaningful.

Perhaps that is the greatest lesson of these solemn observances. We honor the departed by remembering how they lived, but we honor life itself by choosing how we live today.

We are merely temporary custodians of our time on earth. We cannot determine how long we will remain here, but we can decide what to do with the time given to us.

Life is short. Why not do good?

After 'ghost roads' flagged in sea coordinates, DA invites watchdogs to audit billions in farm projects

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published Oct 30, 2026 05:22 pm

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is teaming up with civil society groups to help promote transparency in the development of farm-to-market road (FMR) projects.

The DA said in a statement on Friday, Oct. 30, that it has partnered with citizen watchdogs the People’s Budget Coalition (PBC), BetterGov.PH, and Bisto Proyekto for a comprehensive review of its FMR projects.

The scrutiny of the projects is expected to range from planning and budget preparation to construction and post-implementation monitoring, according to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel.

The agency has agreed to share project documents and conduct joint monitoring under its partnership with the civil society groups.

This comes amid questions over FMR coordinates, which were earlier flagged in a recent Senate hearing due to inconsistencies, including entries that appeared to be located in the sea.

Civil society groups have likewise raised concerns over more than 350 FMR projects worth nearly ₱6 billion that were inserted in the proposed national budget due to the lack of publicly available documents.

Agriculture Undersecretary Arrey Perez said the DA’s partnership with citizen watchdogs is crucial to ensuring that every infrastructure project is completed for its intended purpose.

“We welcome the extra hands and eyes offered by these civil society groups to audit these projects and ensure they are executed properly,” Perez said.

“By completing these projects as intended, we bring greater development to our farmers, fisherfolk, other food producers, and more rural areas,” he added.

In line with efforts to uphold transparency, the DA earlier launched the FMR Watch online portal, which publishes detailed engineering designs, programs of work, and validation

reports of ongoing projects.

The department is also pursuing third-party audits involving state universities and colleges, where their engineers and faculty could independently assess FMR projects before contractors receive payment.

With these safeguards, the DA said it is making sure that FMRs are constructed to connect farms to trading centers, effectively reducing logistics costs and limiting post-harvest losses.

The DA has identified the need for 131,000 kilometers (km) of FMRs nationwide, with about 55,000 km still unbuilt. By 2028, it plans to develop roughly 10,000 km, or about 18 percent of the infrastructure backlog.

The DA said its partnership with watchdogs and civil society groups would not be limited to this year, indicating that the initiative would continue beyond the current budget cycle.

“Its ultimate measure will not be the number of documents published or projects inspected, but whether scrutiny helps prevent waste, improves construction quality and ensures roads reach the farming communities that need them most,” it said. (Dexter Barro II)

BSP can't fight inflation alone

 

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

The peso breaking past 64 against the United States dollar may have signaled that monetary policy has reached its limit. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has already pushed the benchmark interest rate to 5.50 percent, with market analysts bracing for another hike toward six percent if inflation keeps climbing. Now, it seems President Marcos is expecting the central bank to single-handedly defend the currency and stabilize the economy, which is a serious mistake.

Higher interest rates are an indiscriminate mechanism because while they can curb currency speculation and cool down aggregate demand, they cannot produce more rice, repair broken irrigation networks, or move goods smoothly through crowded ports.

The primary drivers behind domestic price hikes are structural supply shortages and high transport costs. Treating a supply problem strictly with interest rate hikes is squeezing local businesses and families already struggling to pay for basic necessities.

This is where the Marcos administration must step in with serious fiscal solutions. Yet, the current handling of government funds shows the continued disconnect between fiscal spending and economic priorities.

According to the latest national government disbursement report from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), capital outlays and public infrastructure spending dropped sharply to ₱522 billion at end-September from ₱798.4 billion in the same period last year, a ₱276.4 billion contraction.

The DBM attributed the slump to reduced disbursements by the Department of Public Works and Highways, driven by stricter payment conditions, enhanced project verification, and heightened oversight. In August alone, infrastructure spending fell 16.9 percent year-on-year. While safeguards on public spending are necessary, allowing essential capital investments to stall during an economic slowdown weakens the very foundation the country needs to sustain growth.

Instead of fixing these spending bottlenecks and directing capital where it is needed most, the proposed ₱7.2 trillion national budget for 2027 looks like business as usual. The House of Representatives added over ₱180 billion in unvetted infrastructure insertions for thousands of local projects, including multi-purpose buildings and bypass roads with little technical justification. To make room for these additions, heavy cuts were made to essential areas: ₱130 billion stripped from foreign-assisted projects, ₱9.5 billion taken from calamity funds, nearly ₱5 billion removed from health programs, and vital funding cut from mass transit like the EDSA Busway.

A coalition of 35 major business and civil society groups recently called out these insertions, pointing out that shifting national resources into vague local projects while cutting disaster preparation, healthcare, and infrastructure undermines investor confidence.

If the government wants to ease price pressures and support the peso, public spending must be directed toward real economic bottlenecks. That means prioritizing repairs to existing irrigation systems before El Niño conditions worsen, lowering logistics costs for food producers, streamlining customs clearance, and accelerating domestic energy investments to reduce reliance on expensive imported oil. Spending public money on well-planned supply solutions builds long-term productive capacity; spending it on discretionary local line items simply strains public finances.

There is also a direct fiscal cost to leaving the fight against inflation entirely to the central bank. With national debt standing at ₱19.61 trillion, every rate hike by the central bank increases the government’s own borrowing costs. Meanwhile, foreign direct investment has dropped as international investors weigh higher interest rates against weak execution and infrastructure gaps.

Government assurances that the country holds enough foreign exchange reserves to protect the peso offer temporary comfort, but those reserves are not bottomless. Gross international reserves have already dipped to a three-year low of $100 billion. The central bank cannot spend its dollar buffers indefinitely while fiscal policy pulls in the opposite direction.

Interest rate hikes can buy temporary time, but they cannot fix underlying structural weaknesses. Until the Marcos administration cleans up the 2027 budget, removes politically motivated insertions, and puts public money into projects that actually expand supply and lower business costs, the central bank will be left fighting a lonely and expensive battle to protect the Philippine economy.

DPWH-DOTr secretary switch: Beyond changing faces

lletin Newsroom

Published Oct 29, 2026 12:01 am | Updated Oct 28, 2026 04:03 pm

The decision of the President to switch the heads of two critical government departments is a welcome move, but it also raises an important question: Can changing the people at the top bring meaningful change to institutions whose problems have persisted for decades?

On Oct. 26, Malacañang announced that Vince Dizon would return to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), while Giovanni Lopez would take over the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The Palace explained that the reshuffle was intended to accelerate reforms. Dizon was being sent back to ease the daily struggles of commuters, while Lopez, described as a systems builder, was tasked with institutionalizing reforms at the DPWH.

Both departments face enormous challenges. The DOTr must address worsening traffic congestion, unreliable public transportation, delayed infrastructure projects, and bureaucratic inefficiencies. The DPWH, meanwhile, must confront corruption, questionable infrastructure spending, unfinished projects, and the continuing controversy surrounding flood control programs.

Dizon knows these challenges firsthand. In fact, social media memes have even portrayed him as having visibly aged during his stint at the DPWH, perhaps reflecting the enormous pressures associated with leading an agency battered by allegations of corruption.

The symbolism became more pronounced during the two secretaries' joint press conference on Oct. 27. Instead of the traditional turnover of a flag, Dizon handed Lopez envelopes containing documents on alleged corrupt officials, whom he described as “rotten apples.” He urged his successor to remove those responsible while protecting honest employees.

The gesture was revealing. It suggested that the problems confronting the department extend well beyond its leadership. And herein lies the greater challenge—changing secretaries may provide fresh leadership, renewed energy, and different management approaches. But will changing faces be enough when the problems themselves are systemic?

The DPWH and DOTr are sprawling bureaucratic institutions, with central offices, regional units, attached agencies, and thousands of personnel. Their operations depend on established systems, administrative procedures, procurement practices, and organizational cultures developed over many years.

A secretary may issue directives, dismiss erring officials, or introduce reforms. Yet unless these changes reach the foundations of the organization, old practices can easily return once that secretary leaves.

We could appoint 10 different secretaries, but if the underlying systems remain unchanged, the same problems will continue under 10 different names.

What the administration must pursue, therefore, is not simply a reshuffling of personalities but a fundamental transformation of these agencies. Stronger accountability mechanisms, transparent procurement, merit-based appointments, independent monitoring, and enforceable safeguards against corruption must become permanent features of government operations.

Such reforms should not depend on the personal determination of whoever occupies the secretary's office.

We wish Dizon and Lopez success in their new assignments. Their success, if any, will ultimately benefit millions of Filipinos who deserve safer roads, reliable transportation, and infrastructure built with integrity.

But the Marcos administration must demonstrate greater firmness and resolve in pursuing changes that will outlast its remaining years. Cabinet secretaries come and go. They serve at the pleasure of the President, and their faces change with every administration.

Institutions, however, must endure.

The true measure of this reshuffle will not be the personalities involved, but whether it produces reforms that remain effective long after these officials have left office. The next generation of Filipino taxpayers deserves to inherit institutions that function properly, not the same problems under different names.

Classes in Metro Cebu suspended due to poor air quality

By Calvin Cordova

CEBU CITY – Due to poor air quality, several areas in Metro Cebu suspended face-to-face classes on Monday,.

Among those that cancelled in-person classes for all levels were the local government units of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, and Talisay cities and the towns of Consolacion, Minglanilla, Compostela, and Liloan.

These LGUs instructed schools to shift to online classes.

“This precautionary measure aims to protect the health and safety of our students, teachers, and school personnel amid unhealthy air quality,” Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival said.

The suspension of physical classes came on the eve of the announcement of the Environmental Management Bureau in Central Visayas (EMB-7) that air quality in Metro Cebu deteriorated once again.

On Sunday, the air quality index (AQI) in Metro Cebu rached 180 which fell under the “very unhealthy” category. 

In its 4 p.m. advisory on Monday, the AQI improved to 140 but was still “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”

With the poor air quality, children, elderly, and individuals with existing respiratory conditions are discouraged from going outdoors.

Wearing masks was also recommended for those venturing outdoors.

The EMB-7 attributed the poor air quality to local pollutants such as emissions from vehicles and industrial outputs.

The prevailing amihan (northeast monsoon) also contributed to the poor air quality, the agency said.

Indigenous Peoples deserve more than a month of recognition

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published Oct 25, 2026 12:05 am | Updated Oct 24, 2026 05:18 pm

October is drawing to a close. Soon, November will arrive, followed by the final month of the year. Amid the many issues occupying the country’s attention, one important observance risks passing with little notice: National Indigenous Peoples Month.

Declared through Presidential Proclamation No. 1906 in 2009, the month-long observance with the theme, “Empowering Indigenous Peoples: Strengthening Rights, Culture, and Ancestral Domains,” deserves more than ceremonial recognition. It should remind us that Indigenous Peoples are an essential part of our history, culture, and national identity. Their concerns must be our concerns, too.

Indigenous communities are not simply figures in history books or participants in cultural festivals. They are living communities whose languages, traditions, knowledge, and practices have been passed down through generations. Their understanding of the land, traditional livelihoods, and stewardship of natural resources form part of the heritage that has shaped our nation.

When their ancestral lands are threatened, their traditions disappear. When their voices are ignored, the loss is not theirs alone. It is a loss for the entire country.

This October also marks the 29th anniversary of Republic Act No. 8371, or the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997. The law recognizes and protects their rights, including those involving ancestral domains, cultural identity, and participation in decisions affecting their communities.

Yet nearly three decades after its enactment, considerable challenges remain.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR), citing World Bank data, noted that as of early 2023, only 55 of 257 ancestral domains with approved Certificates of Ancestral Domain Title had been fully registered. Meanwhile, Philippine Statistics Authority figures showed that poverty incidence among Indigenous Peoples reached 32.4 percent in 2023, affecting approximately 2.93 million people.

These figures represent communities confronting difficulties in securing their lands, accessing education and healthcare, and obtaining basic government services. They also raise questions about how development is pursued, particularly when projects affect ancestral domains.

During this year's celebration in Cotabato, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Secretary Nancy Catamco emphasized that Indigenous communities must actively participate in decisions affecting their lands and development.

“Our role should go beyond being beneficiaries,” she said.

Her statement deserves attention. Indigenous Peoples should not merely receive the benefits of development. They must have a meaningful voice in determining how development takes place in their communities.

This responsibility does not belong to the government alone.

The media must also provide space for Indigenous Peoples' concerns in the national conversation. Coverage should go beyond cultural celebrations, traditional costumes, and colorful festivals. Issues involving ancestral lands, education, poverty, displacement, and cultural preservation deserve sustained attention in news reports, features, documentaries, and opinion pages.

Their stories must be told, and more importantly, they must be given opportunities to tell these stories themselves.

The same responsibility extends to our schools and universities. Young Filipinos must understand that Indigenous Peoples are not separate from our national history. Their contributions, experiences, and present-day struggles are part of the Filipino story. Learning about them should extend beyond textbooks and occasional school celebrations.

Campus journalists, educators, and student organizations can help bring these concerns into classrooms and public discussions. Through education and meaningful exchanges, the younger generation can develop greater appreciation for the cultures and communities that form part of our shared heritage.

As National Indigenous Peoples Month comes to a close, we must remember that recognizing Indigenous Peoples should not be confined to October. Their rights deserve protection throughout the year, their cultures deserve preservation, and their concerns deserve a place in every discussion about the nation's future.

After all, Indigenous Peoples are not merely part of our past. They are part of our present and future. Their history is our history. Their heritage is our heritage. And their concerns must be our concerns, too.

Words carry weight

 

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published Oct 18, 2026 12:05 am | Updated Oct 18, 2026 09:29 am

Words can heal, inspire, and bring people together. They can also wound, humiliate, and deepen divisions. Once spoken, especially before an audience, they cannot always be taken back. This is why freedom of expression, however fundamental, must be exercised with responsibility.

The responsibility becomes even greater for those who command a public following. In an age when a passing remark can travel across social media within minutes, what is dismissed as a joke by one person may be repeated, normalized, and accepted by thousands of others.

The controversy surrounding the podcast Machong Chismisan is a troubling reminder. Its hosts have come under scrutiny after offensive remarks were made about Josh Aquino, the eldest son of television personality Kris Aquino, who is on the autism spectrum. The National Bureau of Investigation has issued subpoenas to five hosts as it examines possible violations of laws protecting persons with disabilities, as well as possible cyberlibel.

The investigation must proceed fairly, with due process for everyone concerned. But whatever its legal outcome, the episode raises a moral question that cannot be brushed aside: Since when did a person's disability become acceptable material for public amusement?

Humor has a place in public discourse. Satire can expose hypocrisy, challenge authority, and help people confront uncomfortable truths. But ridiculing someone for a condition beyond that person's control accomplishes none of these things. It merely turns vulnerability into entertainment.

Nor can the words “just for fun” erase the hurt they cause. For persons with disabilities, such remarks can reinforce prejudices that have kept them excluded from schools, workplaces, and opportunities. For families who have spent years fighting for acceptance, they are reminders of how much further society must go.

Our laws recognize that dignity deserves protection. Republic Act No. 9442, which amended the Magna Carta for Persons with Disability, expressly prohibits public ridicule and vilification based on disability. Violations may carry fines or imprisonment, subject, of course, to the findings of the proper authorities and the courts.

Yet responsible speech should not depend solely on fear of punishment. Respect should be practiced even when no law is watching, no complaint is filed, and no outrage erupts online.

This is especially important for podcasters, entertainers, influencers, and other personalities whose words reach young audiences. They help shape what listeners consider funny, acceptable, or worth imitating. When ridicule becomes a source of laughter and applause, cruelty risks passing from one generation to the next.

The same responsibility belongs to ordinary citizens. We need not have millions of followers to hurt another person. A remark at home, a joke among friends, or a careless comment online can either challenge prejudice or perpetuate it.

As this Sunday invites reflection on the week that has passed, perhaps we should examine not only what we have said, but also whom our words may have hurt. We can defend free expression without surrendering compassion. We can disagree without demeaning. We can entertain without making someone else's dignity the price of admission.

Words carry weight. Let us use them to lift people up, not push them further to the margins. At a time when divisions already run deep, the least we can do is speak in ways that help build a more decent and inclusive society.