Search Results

Tigsik ko an mga magurang sa panahon ngunyan, Diit-diit na ginagadan kan sa indang mga kaakian. Ta an kadaklan parasimbag na kun pig-aanggutan, Kaya an mga magurang nakakamating kamunduan. Tigsik ko pa ngunyan an ikadaklan sa mga kaakian, Mantang bakasyon nag-iisip sinda na makatabang. Sa trabaho sa harong asin mapagdedelihensiyan, Na makabakal nin mga kagamitan sa eskwelahan Tigsik ko ngunyan ining mga pulitikong kurapto, Na saro-saro na sindang rinaramalan, inaaresto. Tangani na panimbagon sa mga sala na giniribo. Hustisya para sa mga hinabunan na mga Pilipino. Tigsik ko nguyan dyan sa maaksyon pang senado, Sa mga drama, komedya dai nanggad napopondo. An mga nagmamasid, an mga nagtao nin mandato, Bangit na sa ginigiribo ta sayang kan pigpapasweldo. Tigsik ko man ngunyan ining panahon nin tig-init, Kun mina”brownout” pa hay talagang nakakabangit, Dagdagan pa kan nagpaparaluya an bulos kan tubig, Resulta, namamarong na yukyok ta igwa nang anghit

By ERNIE DELGADO LEGAZPI CITY --- A suspected meteor was captured on camera exploding above the glowing slopes of Mayon Volcano on Monday night, shocking onlookers who witnessed the unexpected celestial display from their vehicles and porches Stunned onlookers from communities surrounding the volcano reported seeing a bright streak of light near the volcano at 10:33 p.m. on May 25, 2026. CCTV and dash-cam footage from several cars showed the meteor hurtling through the sky before combusting in a sudden burst of green light. Witnesses took to social media to share that the meteor was visible from various areas, including Southern Luzon. Bezaleel Banogon, who observed the meteor from Los Baños in Laguna province, commented on Facebook that he initially mistook it for a missile. “Akala ko nga missile sa sobrang liwanag (I thought it was a missile because of how bright it was). It burned bright green and white for less than a second before it disappeared into the clouds,” Banogon said. Another witness, Maria Louisa Araneta, a student at Bicol University, said she and her companion immediately made a wish upon seeing the shooting star. A user named Star Prior shared footage of the phenomenon and exclaimed, “What on earth is going on?” The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) also released footage of the suspected meteor hurtling close to the slopes of the erupting Mayon Volcano, stating, “LOOK!!! PHIVOLCS’ Ligñon Hill IP Camera records a meteor striking the northern slopes of Mayon Volcano at 10:33 PM this evening, May 25, 2026.” However, in a follow-up post, the agency clarified that the meteor did not actually hit the volcano’s slopes. An amateur astronomer from Masbate City calculated the meteor’s energy to be equivalent to 6.8 million kilograms of gunpowder, which would have caused massive rockfalls if it had struck the slopes of Mayon Volcano Regardless, Mount Mayon logged 27 volcanic earthquakes and other volcanic activities in the last 24 hours, according to Phivolcs on Tuesday. Its 24-hour monitoring bulletin indicated that the country’s most active volcano recorded 20 volcanic tremors lasting between nine and 145 minutes, along with 341 rockfalls and two pyroclastic density current signals. Additionally, lava effusion was observed along its gullies: Basud (3.8 kilometers), Bonga (3.2 kms), and Mi-isi (1.8 kms), with minor strombolian activity reported. The volcano also emitted 988 tons of sulfur dioxide on Saturday and generated a plume that rose 200 meters from the crater, drifting west-southwest and southwest. Phivolcs noted a “short-term deflation” along with shorter-term inflation on the north-eastern flank of the volcano. The volcano remains under Alert Level 3, indicating intensified unrest. Entry into the six-kilometer radius, which is the permanent danger zone, is prohibited, as is flying any aircraft close to the volcano. Meanwhile, the status of the suspected meteorite has not yet been officially confirmed by the Philippine Space Agency, the agency responsible for studying meteors, fireballs, and meteorites in the Philippines. (PIA Bicol) A bright streak of light explodes above the glowing slopes of Mayon Volcano at 10:33 p.m. on May 25, 2026 (Image screen-grabbed from afarTV/Youtube)

By Jason B. Neola The City of Naga in the Bicol Region has officially joined the ranks of the country’s highly urbanized cities (HUCs), becoming the 34th such city in the Philippines following a proclamation signed on Wednesday by Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The 15th Sangguniang Panlungsod of Naga formally initiated the city’s bid for highly urbanized city status through the adoption of Resolution No. 2026-078 on January 27, 2026, citing that the city had already met the statutory requirements, including the prescribed annual income and population threshold necessary for such classification. The milestone announcement coincided with the commemoration of the 68th birth anniversary of the late Jesse M. Robredo, widely regarded as the “Father of Good Governance” in the Philippines for his transformative leadership anchored on transparency, accountability, and people empowerment. The proclamation took center stage during the day’s activities, which included a flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony honoring Robredo’s legacy. The event was led by his widow, Leni Robredo, alongside members of the Robredo family, including his elder brother Butch, as well as barangay officials, educators, students, local government employees, and representatives from national government agencies such as the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Department of Education. It was Mayor Robredo who formally announced to the public Naga’s elevation to HUC status, drawing applause from the gathered crowd. In his opening remarks, Vice Mayor Gabriel Bordado Jr. underscored the enduring impact of Jesse Robredo’s leadership, particularly in fostering strong people’s participation in governance—a model that has since been replicated by many local government units across the country. Jesse Robredo served as mayor of Naga City for 19 years before his appointment as Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government during the administration of former president Benigno Aquino III. In her message, Mayor Robredo expressed the family’s deep gratitude to Nagueños for their continued remembrance and affection for Jesse, noting the community’s unwavering support in commemorating both his birth and death anniversaries. The conferment of HUC status marks a historic chapter for Naga City, reflecting its sustained growth and development, as well as the enduring legacy of leadership that has shaped its governance. The Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160, specifically Rule VIII, Article 12, states that within 120 days from the declaration of the president of the Philippines, the Comelec shall conduct a plebiscite in the city proposed to be converted. I via Jason Neola, head CMO-Public Information Division.

By Ernie Delgado LEGAZPI CITY --- Following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive to the Social Security System (SSS) to support its members and pensioners, as well as employers, amid the escalating cost of living, the SSS will raise pensions three months earlier than planned, expand access to its loan programs, and offer loan penalty condonation. These relief measures have been allocated a budget of P60 billion to assist workers, pensioners, and employers who are struggling with higher prices of food, transportation, fuel, and electricity, and the broader economic impacts of ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, according to Jeanette Torallo-Mapa, the SSS ad hoc communication officer for the Bicol region. During the Ugnayan sa Bicol briefing on Wednesday, Mapa said that to help pensioners, the SSS will provide an advance of its 10 percent pension increase for 2026. “This 10 percent increase, initially scheduled for release in September 2026, will now be given out in June as part of the ongoing relief program,” Mapa said. For example, if a pensioner currently receives P10,000, their monthly pension will increase to P11,000 beginning this June, she explained. Additionally, death and survivor benefits will also rise by 5 percent, she added. Aside from increasing pensions, Mapa said that the SSS is continuing its initiative to condone penalties for members with unpaid short-term loans. Through the Consolidation of Past Due Short-Term Member Loans with Penalty Condonation Program, penalties may be fully waived once members pay the principal and interest of their loans, she said. Members can opt to pay in full or choose installment terms of up to 60 months with a minimum down payment of 10 percent, she added. Mapa also announced expanded loan assistance programs designed to provide quicker and more affordable access to funds. Under the enhanced Emergency Loan Program, eligible members can borrow up to P20,000 at a reduced interest rate of 7 percent per annum, along with a six-month repayment moratorium, she said. Mapa said the SSS has also eased eligibility requirements by lowering the required posted contributions from 36 months to 18 months, as long as members have at least six contributions within the last 12 months. This program now includes members with minimal past-due loans of up to three monthly amortizations and incorporates overseas Filipino workers through simplified eligibility criteria, she added. Mapa emphasized that the program aims to offer a safer and more affordable alternative to informal lenders, helping borrowers address urgent expenses such as medical bills, education, and daily household needs. For employers, Mapa said the SSS is extending relief measures for contribution delinquency through penalty condonation and restructuring programs. These include the Contribution Penalty Condonation, Delinquency Management, and Restructuring Program for businesses, as well as a separate program for household employers, she added. “These measures will enable employers to resolve unpaid contribution obligations through structured payment arrangements without incurring additional penalties, while ensuring continued social security coverage for workers,” she said. Mapa said that the expanded assistance programs follow President Marcos’s directive to provide timely financial relief to members, pensioners, and employers, while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the pension fund. (PIA Bicol)

Savage Mind, an independent publishing house and bookshop based in Naga City, together with Corner 26, is pleased to invite you and seek your support for the Bikol screening of the documentary film Mga Nakabuhing-Agi-Agi (Found Objects, Freed Stories) on May 30, 2026, at 6:00 PM at Corner 26, Maaalahanin Street, Diliman, Quezon City. The documentary film, directed by Kristian Sendon Cordero, is an attempt to explore ethnography and cinema from the region through narratives that place central value on the lived experiences and creative expressions of the indigenous communities of Buhi, Camarines Sur. The film documents stories of survival and resilience following the devastation brought by Typhoon Usman, which claimed many lives and displaced communities in this area. Supported by the Henry Luce Foundation and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), this screening marks the film’s first premiere presentation in Manila. Among the highlights of the documentary are the community narratives surrounding the volcanoes of Bikol, and the local stories of “salvation” and survival that continue to shape memory, faith, and survival in the region. In this connection, we humbly seek your support by attending the screening and by helping us invite fellow Bikolanos and friends in Metro Manila who may be interested in this important cultural and community initiative. While there is no fixed entrance fee for the event, voluntary contributions will be greatly appreciated in support of our fundraising initiative for the Parish and Shrine of Our Lady of Salvacion in Joroan, Tiwi, Albay. Proceeds will help establish a permanent reading nook and book corner within the community as part of our continuing effort to promote art, literature, and storytelling as instruments of healing, remembrance, and cultural renewal.

By Paulo DS Papa THIRD District Rep. Nelson Legacion has moved to secure the franchise renewal of the Camarines Sur III Electric Cooperative (CASURECO III), which supplies electricity to the Rinconada area. Legacion said the cooperative’s management sought his assistance to ensure continued power service in Iriga City and the municipalities of Bula, Baao, Buhi, Bato, Balatan, and Nabua. He noted that Casureco III had difficulty obtaining support from Rinconada District Rep. Migz Villafuerte, who earlier co-authored House Bill No. 1084 filed on July 4, 2022. The measure, which proposes a franchise for the Bicol Light Power Corporation, remains pending before the House committee on legislative franchises. Legacion explained that a franchise granted by Congress authorizes an electric cooperative to operate and deliver power within its designated service areas. On May 22, Legacion announced on social media that he had filed House Bill No. 4478, seeking the renewal of Casureco III’s franchise, together with Partido District Rep. Arnie Fuentebella. He said he could not turn down the request, citing his roots in Buhi, Camarines Sur. The lawmaker added that similar bills he filed for CASURECO I and II have already passed second reading at the committee level, and he committed to push for the same progress for Casureco III. Meanwhile, Leila de Lima, Mamamayang Liberal Party-list representative and a native of Iriga City, has also filed House Bill No. 5132 seeking the renewal of the cooperative’s franchise.

The Palace’s directive to enforce future arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court (ICC) “immediately” signals a decisive turn in the Philippines’ posture toward international accountability. Framed as a response to the alleged evasion of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, the policy underscores a simple but weighty principle: the rule of law must not be delayed, diluted, or selectively applied. Malacañang’s position rests heavily on Republic Act No. 9851, which mandates cooperation with international tribunals, including the surrender of accused individuals. By asserting that ICC warrants need not pass through local courts, the executive branch is drawing a firm legal line—one that seeks to remove procedural bottlenecks that could be exploited by those facing serious allegations. Whether this interpretation withstands sustained legal scrutiny may yet be tested, but its intent is unmistakable: speed and certainty in enforcement. At the heart of the issue is the ICC case tied to the controversial anti-drug campaign under former President Rodrigo Duterte. The allegations—centered on crimes against humanity—are grave, involving thousands of deaths during operations that critics have long described as extrajudicial. Duterte himself now awaits trial in The Hague, a development that has already reshaped the country’s political and legal landscape. The warning from authorities is equally clear: those who may be named in forthcoming warrants should surrender rather than evade arrest. This is not merely a legal expectation but a moral one, particularly for former law enforcement officials who once carried the badge of authority. The message resonates—those who enforced the law must now be seen to respect it. Yet, this policy raises broader questions about sovereignty, due process, and the Philippines’ evolving relationship with international institutions. Critics may argue that bypassing local judicial processes risks undermining constitutional safeguards. Supporters, however, contend that cooperation with the ICC reflects a commitment to justice that transcends borders, especially in cases where domestic remedies are perceived to fall short. What cannot be ignored is the delicate balance at play. Swift enforcement may strengthen the credibility of accountability mechanisms, but it must be anchored in transparency and respect for rights. The urgency to act should not eclipse the need for fairness. In the end, the administration’s stance is a test—not only of legal frameworks but of national resolve. Will the Philippines fully embrace international justice, even when it reaches into the highest levels of power? Or will the path forward be contested, shaped by legal challenges and political resistance? “Immediate enforcement” is more than a policy directive. It is a declaration that, in matters of justice, time—and perhaps patience—is running out.

WHEN the halls of legislation begin to resemble sanctuaries for those evading the law, the line between governance and impunity blurs dangerously. The warning issued by Melvin Matibag is not mere rhetoric—it is a pointed reminder that institutions, no matter how powerful, must not become shields against accountability. The controversy surrounding Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa exposes a troubling scenario: a sitting senator, reportedly under “protective custody” of the Senate, slipping out of public view just as law enforcement seeks to bring him before legal processes linked to the International Criminal Court. The optics alone are damaging. Whether by design or by lapse, the perception that the Senate could serve as a refuge for a wanted individual erodes public confidence in both the legislative body and the justice system. “Protective custody” is not a cloak of invisibility. It carries an implicit obligation—custodianship with accountability. As Matibag aptly noted, it is akin to entrusting valuables to a counter: responsibility follows possession. If an institution assumes custody, it must also ensure that the individual is available when the law calls. Anything less transforms protection into obstruction. What makes this episode particularly alarming is the precedent it threatens to set. If public office—especially one as influential as a Senate seat—can be perceived as a buffer against arrest, it invites a cynical recalibration of politics. The idea that one might seek elected power not to serve, but to shield oneself from legal consequences, is corrosive to democracy. It turns public trust into a tool for personal survival. This is not merely about one person or one chamber. It is about the integrity of the system. The Senate, as an institution, commands respect precisely because it is expected to uphold the law, not complicate its enforcement. Any action—or inaction—that suggests otherwise weakens the very foundation of governance. To be clear, due process must always be protected. No arrest should be carried out arbitrarily, and every individual is entitled to legal remedies. But due process should not be confused with delay tactics or institutional protectionism. The law must move with both fairness and firmness. The deeper concern raised by Matibag—that of a creeping “breakdown of law and order”—should not be dismissed lightly. Public perception matters. When citizens begin to believe that the powerful can evade accountability while ordinary individuals cannot, respect for the law diminishes. And once that respect erodes, enforcement becomes an uphill battle. The Senate now faces a defining moment. It can reaffirm its role as a pillar of democratic accountability, or risk being seen as a sanctuary of convenience. The choice will not only shape its own credibility but also influence how Filipinos view the rule of law in a time of political strain. Institutions must not only be strong—they must be seen to be just.

We, Filipinos, those of us who were born, grew up and spent most of our lives here, often infatuate with awe on the progress of developed nations – the skyscrapers, the efficient energy, the urban structures, the modern technology, the competent utilities, which we wish we have, that we would venture to foreign nations to experience them, or bring them here. But, what is progress, anyway? Progress may be defined as the process of moving toward a better, more advanced, or more developed state. Historically, humans tend to view progress through the evolution of our tools, knowledge, and living conditions. This may include Moving from manual labor to automation, or from local stone tools to global digital networks and space exploration, Finding cures for diseases, increasing global literacy, reducing extreme poverty, and extending the human lifespan. So, we would understand when Filipinos want to build a community like BGC which looks and feels like Manhattan, New York, which is definitely a far cry from the slums across Metro Manila. Then, of course, it would also be understandable to replicate that structure in a dream and plan to build a global city right here in our province, in Pili. Definitely, a spiraling, Mt. Isarog-inspired, pili nut-shaped design with solar panels and an open-air atrium would compete with the Merlion Parkin Singapore or the Sydney Opera House. It would be even more magnificent with hotels and resorts, residential spaces, a hospital, a digital campus, a lifestyle hub and mall, and logistics and manufacturing facilities around it. You know what’s even more progressive? When we combine it with renewable energy. Now, that’s progressive. We would appreciate the coming of renewable wind energy with windmills, almost 200 of them to be build 300 meters apart along the shores of Calabanga. I think, they’ll also build similar structures in Siruma, Cabusao and Sipocot; yes, covering San Miguel Bay. Those strong winds would blow the blades and convert them to electricity which would run to houses and businesses. This would mean cheaper electric bills. Then, we wouldn’t mind if Iran and US and Israel continue to beat each other up with bombs. We won’t need their oil that much anymore. We got our own New York/BGC. We will have windmills like the Dutch. What else would progress bring us? On the other hand, is it still progress when these “developments threaten (if they have not already done so) to turn upside down the living conditions of the simple folk that build the foundations of the society? Is it still progress when developments disrupt and displace farmers from agricultural land, and threaten fisherfolk from the sea, cutting the chain of supply of vendors to consumers? Allegations of forced eviction by the provincial government triggered protests from local landowners and farmers. Residents reported that land-clearing and fencing operations commenced prior to the disbursement of land compensation, the arrangement of alternative housing, or the acquisition of a judicial demolition order. Several towns over, fisherfolk groups have banded together over the looming perils of windmill construction along the shores of San Miguel Bay which would totally prevent them from going out to sea to catch fish for their livelihood for a whole two years while those structures with spinning blades are being constructed. Those two years won’t be a vacation. Those would be two years of no work, no supply of fish on one side of the market, crippling multiple families. What for? For a highly developed urban structure? For modern generation of renewable energy? Progress is not just about building faster machines; it is also about building a more just world. Social progress is measured by how a society treats its people. Progress should expand human rights. Progress has been shown in The historical march toward abolishing slavery, granting women's suffrage, protecting civil rights, and recognizing the dignity of marginalized groups. It should move toward institutional fairness, global cooperation, and systemic equality. For whom is progress? Is it not for the people of a particular place? Should it not be a process of moving the people toward a better, more advanced, or more developed state? But how could people advance and develop themselves when their livelihood which is their primary instrument to advance and develop themselves is being disrupted and threatened? Even the environment in which they advance and develop themselves is being disrupted or threatened. How and where then would they advance and develop themselves? So, is this progress at all? Or is progress advancing and developing the place and not primarily the people? Now, that would be a violation of the very essence of progress. Proverbs 4:18: "The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day."

A majority inside an institution is not automatically the voice of the people. It may instead become the voice of a dynastic elite, or of politicians acting in pursuit of political survival rather than public interest. The recent Senate upheaval is a grim reminder of how the tyranny of numbers can diminish the dignity of an institution expected to embody the highest standards of democratic debate and public accountability. Thirteen senators dramatically unseated the Senate President, timed with the sudden reappearance of a senator absent from Senate sessions for nearly six months, just as an impeachment process involving a political patron loomed. The return of that absentee senator supplied the decisive vote that changed everything. This is the dangerous myth in a so-called democracy: that whoever mobilizes the numbers inside a legislative chamber automatically speaks for the citizenry. Having the numbers matters, of course. But democracy was never intended to be a simple numbers game used to assert legitimacy. After the May 11 drama, I found myself looking back to the era of the much-revered Claro M. Recto and Lorenzo Tañada in the late 1940s and 1950s, often regarded as the Philippine Senate’s gold standard for intellectual independence. I thought as well of Jose W. Diokno, Benigno Aquino Jr., and Tañada in the 1970s, senators remembered for integrity and resistance to corruption and authoritarianism. And who could forget Jovito Salonga, Wigberto Tañada, and Bicolano senator Joker Arroyo, among the “Magnificent 12” who rejected the renewal of U.S. military bases despite immense foreign and domestic pressure? Today, look at the Senate in 2026. Dynastic politics dominates. Several members continue to face corruption allegations and lingering questions about credibility and public trust. The institution itself appears increasingly tainted. Democracy is not simply addition and subtraction, nor a contest over who commands the largest circle of allies and political friends. The phrase vox populi, vox Dei — the voice of the people is the voice of God — has long been invoked to justify authority. Yet we know that majority blocs in Congress often emerge from patronage, backroom bargaining, shifting alliances, and political expediency. Like many others, I was caught off guard last May 11. Or perhaps I had simply stopped paying close attention to a Senate that increasingly resembles a bastion of dynastic politics rather than a chamber of principled deliberation. We have become accustomed to the drama and circus within the Senate. When political majorities are assembled through elite negotiations hidden from public scrutiny, citizens become spectators to a game played in their name. Democracy then begins to resemble theater — or worse, a soap opera. Watching a majority that is not merely numerical, but noisy, forceful, and politically performative — a raucous bloc asserting power through spectacle rather than deliberation — tests both public trust and democratic patience. History has repeatedly shown that governments can satisfy legal formalities while undermining the deeper democratic principles of transparency, accountability, and public trust. Distrust grows when elected officials invoke legality to justify actions many citizens perceive as politically deceptive or vulgar. A numerical majority can be deceiving. Majority rule becomes dangerous when abused — when numerical superiority is mistaken for unquestionable moral authority. Democracy is not merely about counting raised hands or amplifying the loudest “yeas” and “nays.” It rests on accountability, transparency, representation, and public trust. A Senate coup — if that is how history will remember the May 11 incident — raises troubling questions. Was this majority assembled to serve the public interest? Or was it formed for political self-preservation, partisan loyalty, the protection of political patrons, or preparation for future elections? Did the public truly approve of this alignment? One may argue that, in a political culture shaped by patronage, a segment of the public indirectly did. Perhaps. But democratic consent shaped by patronage politics is not the same as informed democratic acceptance. Yet who can argue? Many people have become complacent — eerily quiet. The people’s voice should not be heard only during elections. It must continue to echo through governance and through the constant demand for principled leadership. A true democratic majority is not simply the loudest bloc in the chamber. It should embody public trust — a majority that listens, understands, and articulates the people’s aspirations for integrity, transparency, accountability, and a better life. Because when the majority ceases to represent the people, it remains merely a majority — numerically many, but not vox populi.

In my more than fifty years of observing and understanding the workings of government, with all its ebbs and flows, its shortcomings and constructive policies, I have never witnessed a Senate whose reputation has fallen so deeply, nor one so fragmented and consumed by extreme partisanship, political opportunism and theatrics until today. I am disappointed. I am saddened. I longed for the years when the Senate was the bastion of the country’s most respected, democratic, and pro-people institution. I became to be politically conscious in the 1960s when the Senate was highly regarded as a chamber of statesmen – nationalist lawyers, intellectuals, debaters, individuals of integrity, respected for their wisdom and love for the institution and the people they served. Of the many distinguished senators who embodied a tradition of principled statesmanship and left a lasting impression on me include Jose Diokno, Jovito Salonga, Lorenzo Tanada, Ambrosio Padilla, Eva Estrada Kalaw, Gil Puyat, Dominador Aytona, Soc Rodrigo, Gerardo Roxas, Tecla Andres Ziga, Emmanuel Pelaez, Raul Manglapus, Benigno Aquino Jr., Aquilino Pimentel, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Joker Arroyo, Raul Roco, and Rene Saguisag. These senators were not perfect. They had political biases and disagreements, but they did not allow their differences to take precedence over the national interests, and the people respected them. So, what happened? If, before, the Senate was composed of legal luminaries, intellectuals, professionals with excellent records, the current Senate includes a bevy of movie actors, media personalities, siblings who belong to political dynasties, and opportunist politicians masquerading as serving the people. While there are, of course, notable exceptions from various professions who fight vigorously for necessary reforms, they must constantly contend with a dominant majority that is seldom receptive to their efforts. Simply put, the composition of the Senate reflects a shift from principled lawmakers to extreme opportunist partisanship, from nationalist intellectuals to corrupt lawmakers. Consider the following: Two senators face plunder complaint over questionable campaign donations; Two senators are being investigated for plunder, graft, bribery and malversation of funds involving flood control projects; Two senators are accused by the Security and Exchange Commission of market manipulation and insider trading; Two senators are allegedly involved during the President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs and one of them is now a fugitive on the run wanted by the International Criminal Court; One senator may face obstruction of justice charge if he is found to have helped a fugitive escape from the Senate; One Bible-quoting senator orchestrated a power grab in the Senate to become the Senate President and shielded a wanted senator; Two senators were publicly rebuked by their respective alma maters for failing to embody the values instilled during their formation; Seven senators belong to political dynasties; For the first time in its history, there was a shooting incident inside the Senate last May 13. Senate President Alan Cayetano claimed that the Senate was under attack. But Jonvic Remulla of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said that there was no actual attack on the Senate. It is alleged that the firefight was staged to create chaos and provide cover for the escape of Sen. Bato dela Rosa. As I see it, the Senate today has been severely decimated not only by internal division due to extreme partisanship but also by the moral degradation as seen by the alleged involvement of almost half of its members to corruption. As a result, the Senate has been the target of ridicules and memes in social media. Senate deliberations have become increasingly performative rather than substantive. And several senators have lost the respect of the citizenry, as the Senate deteriorates as an institution. While there are individual senators who continue to earn respect for their integrity, honesty, and hard work, the broader impression is that the Senate has lost its statesmanship and even its moral authority that once characterized the many senators of yesteryears.

Mainit pa man giraray ang mga aldaw alagad nagpopoon naman magtaga uran-uran, kundi matipid pa ang bulos ta bako pa ining bastante para magkaigwang epekto sa mga tanuman. Kan Abril, naglaog kita 7.2% inflation rate, luminangkaw hale sa 4.2% kan Marso. Ang kombinasyon nin mainit na panahon asin mahal na barakalon naresulta kadaklan na beses sa malaen na temperamente kan mga tao, lalo na sa kulang ang budget. May nagkakapirang rason kung tano uminabot siete porciento ang satong inflation rate. Enot na may makusog na tulod pasakat iyo ang transport na naglangkaw sa 21.4% hale sa 9.9% kan Marso, halos doble. Ini dara kan pagmahal kan petrolyo na nakaapektar man padagos sa presyo kan abono asin iba pang inputs sa agrikultura. Ikaduwa, housing and utilities na yaon na sa 8.2% asin food and beverage na lumnangkaw sa 6%. Kung sa sitwasyon kan paraoma, sa presyong P 1,600.00 kada sako nin abono nagtitipid na sa pagkonsumo ta kulang pang-kapital, ano pa sa presyong P 2, 600.00? Ang hababang konsumo nin abono nagkakawsa nin hababang ani. Iyo man ini ang dinadanas kan tao sa presyo kan kakanon asin iba pang produkto sa pang-oroaldaw na buhay. Tanda ko si estudiante kadto na naghapit sa opisina, nagdulok sa hepe mi kadto, bilang pangtustos sa saiyang pagklase, nakiolay na maglinig sa samong opisina. Garo high school lang si aki kadto pero nagpupursige. Igua man akong naka-engkwentro kayan, sarong aking lalake na nagdulok sako habang nagkakan ako nin goto sarong bangui sa sarong gotohan na harani samo. Sa pagdulok kan aki, estimate ko dies anios o lampas na ang edad, nagsabi siya na nag-iipon siya para sa bado sa parokya ta siya saro daang sacristan. Hinapot ko kung anong parokya, sa simbag niya naaraman ko pareho kaming parokya. Nag “validate” ako, bako man dudang maray pero marhay na ang nagtataghapot. Tama man ang mga simbag. Nagtao ako nin dikit na kantidad sabi ko pandagdag saka pinaorder ko kan saiyang gustong kakanon, nag-order siyang mami. Naglaag siyang chili oil asin puerte si kakan niya. Nagpasalamat siya. Pakaagi nin lampas sarong bulan, nagkakan liwat kami duman sa gotohan, may kaibahan ako kadtong duwang barkada. May nagdulok na aki sa saro sa mga kaibahan ko, nabisto ko, hiniling ko muna asin dinangog ko. Nag-istoria siya kan parehong sitwasyon na nag-iipon siya nin pambakal bado ta sacristan siya. Parehong aki, parehong istoria, parehong gawe kan pag-istoria. Sinita ko si aki, sabi ko, panloloko niyako yan ginigibo mo. Dai lang siya naggirong. Fast forward, kan nakaaging bulan, siguro duwa o tolong taon na nakaagi. Nahiling ko liwat si aki, teenager na ang itsura niya. Iyo man giraray, parehong istoria, parehong gawe. Lingaw naman garo sako, sabi ko mayo niyako. Mapangirit na makauyam. Mahiling ang mga arog kaining pangyayari, pareho nagpupursige pero magkaiba ang paagi. Si saro inagi sa paglinig o sideline na trabaho sa joven na edad, si saro inagi sa “diskarte”. Amay ang gawe nin katusohan sa kinaban. Posibleng nagdadalagan sa isip, ano man na “scam” na may nagtutubod ngani? Iyo garo ini ang boot sabihion kan mabuhay sa tagilid na daga. Ta kaipuhan mabuhay sa kinaban, kaipuhan maghiro asin maghanap paagi nin pagbuhay. Hanap buhay, hinahanap, dai itinatao o nadudukayan sanang basang. Pinapagalan- oras, ganot, isip. Malinaw alagad maski aram ta sa buhay na yaon pirmi ang tagilid na daga, tano ta garo baga normal na ang tagilid na gawe?