Opinion

The breaking news that mayoralty candidate, Albee Benitez, is supporting the candidacy of presidential aspirant, former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. generated so much interest in such a short time and was shared over a thousand times.We all know that this election is very polarizing especially where Marcos and Vice President Leni Robredo are concerned, as the two are considered the frontrunners in the coming presidential election.Many were not surprised by Albee’s alliance with the Marcoses because historically, his father was a close ally of the late dictator.But many Albee-converts, especially those who are pro-Leni hoped that Albee will stay neutral especially when he stated during the debate-that-never-was, that he will be a party-man and will go with whomever his party, PD...

Wednesday last week was the commemoration of the World Wetlands Day with the theme "Wetlands Action for People and Nature”.The United Nations General Assembly declared February 2 as World Wetlands Day, which is probably the latest global conservation event since the proclamation was only made in August 30 last year. This declaration was anchored on the Wetlands Convention, an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.The 50th year of the treaty on wetlands was commemorated in 2021. The UN adopted the convention in 1971 and it came into force in 1975 in the Iranian City of Ramsar, the reason why it is also known as the Ramsar Convention. Almost 90 percent of the UN member states acceded to become contractin...

Soon after Pope Francis was elected, he was interviewed by the editor of Civilta Cattolica. The editor’s opening question was, “Who is Jorge Mario Bergoglio?” Apparently caught by surprise, the new Pope paused for a moment and then responded, “I am a sinner. This is the most accurate definition. It is not a figure of speech, a literary genre. I am a sinner.”Nine years after that first interview, we now see even more clearly the sincerity of the Pope’s response. It did not come from some feigned modesty or pa-humble effect, but from a deep awareness of his own sinfulness vis-a-vis the mercy of God. Thus, his motto, Miserando atque Eligendo (Miserable yet Chosen).In today’s readings, we see the same honesty in Isaiah, Peter and Paul. Overwhelmed by the intense experience of God’s maj...

It seems 2021 had just passed so fast and while there were restrictions in our movement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many happenings in the country caught our attention.Aside from the hot issues related to the forthcoming national and local elections in May 2022 and concerns on how the pandemic was being addressed, before the year ended many islands in the Visayas, some parts of Mindanao, and Palawan were devastated by super typhoon Odette.Strong winds and severe flooding destroyed houses and many public infrastructures, including road and water, power, and communication servicing facilities. A number of deaths were also reported.In Negros Occidental, 2021 started with heavy flooding in the northern part of the province and ended with another one in the south.Amidst all th...

Today, we continue to read from last Sunday’s gospel wherein Jesus picked the passage from the Book of Isaiah, describing the messianic time. At the end of the reading, Jesus declared, “Today, this passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” The initial reaction of the townspeople was one of admiration and amazement. Then it turned into skepticism and resentment.“Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” Finally, it degenerated into fury and murderous rage. “They rose up, drove him out of the town… to hurl him down headlong.”What happened? Why the sudden change of mood? The people’s initial euphoria about Jesus might have come from their realization that the Messiah could indeed be one of their own. They had earlier heard of Jesus’ fame as an eloquent preacher and a powerful miracle worker in Cape...

That was an interesting presidential interview hosted by GMA topnotch news anchor, Jessica Soho.Taped as live, it gave us a glimpse of the four presidential candidates – Vice President Leni Robredo, Senators Ping Lacson and Manny Pacquiao and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.Leading presidential candidate, former Senator Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. opted to decline the invitation because they believe Soho will not be fair and will center in on his father’s dictatorial rule more than other issues.Of course, Marcos’ camp believes that showbiz talk show host, Boy Abunda is better than Soho’s platform which is probably why they also made viral that interview with another showbiz host, Toni Gonzaga.Besides, Abunda’s show is more predictable and they can prepare well for that starting with the...

The first reading taken from the Book of Nehemiah is probably one of the most poignant stories in the Old Testament. After fifty years of captivity in Babylon, a portion of the Jewish people returned to Jerusalem.Finding their beloved city in utter ruin, they started the long and difficult work of its reconstruction. When they had finally finished rebuilding the temple and the city walls, the priest, Ezra, gathered the people, men, women, and those children old enough to understand. He read out to them the Book of the Law from morning till noon, and they all listened attentively. As they heard the words of the law, everyone wept.Ezra then blessed the people, who responded, “Amen, amen!” and they prostrated themselves to the ground before the Lord.How much they must have missed ...

Much has been said about the mayoral and gubernatorial debates that happened over the weekend. It would have been interesting if Mayor Bing Leonardia was there so we can hear his agenda and plans to resolve the many problems that has not been addressed by his administration.As predicted, he was a no-show but his followers were en masse! It makes you wonder why they were there when they were probably informed that their leader backed out of the agreement. And yes, there was an expressed agreement as mentioned by a lawyer who said that Bing’s team even participated in the tech run the week before the said event and no questions were raised nor was there an indication that they wanted a face-to-face debate.That’s all water under the bridge. Only his supporters believe his reasons for ...

The devotion to the Santo Niño is one of the oldest and most popular devotions in the Philippines. Observed all over the country, the feast of the Santo Niño is colorfully celebrated in varied ways, expressive of the particular love and affection of different regions.The immense popularity of the Santo Niño can easily be understood, even from the human point of view. A child is naturally attractive. His innocence and simplicity can totally disarm us and bring out the best in us. In his presence, the animal in us is tamed, and his smile can tenderize the hardest of hearts. Such is the power of a child.We know however that the Santo Niño is no ordinary child. He is a Holy Child, the Son of God. Thus, we cannot imagine how infinitely more powerful the Santo Niño must be.Allow me t...

With three more days to go before the much awaited debate between Bacolod mayoralty candidates - incumbent Mayor Bing Leonardia and former Cong. Albee Benitez - there seems to be hitches that may (not so surprising) lead to the cancellation of the event.The debate is being organized by the UP Law Alumni Association-Negros Occidental Chapter at the USLS campus in partnership with the Philippine Daily Inquirer.However, with the rising cases of COVID-19 in our midst, the organizers deemed it prudent to conduct the debate online, via Zoom. This is responsible enough for the group who knew they could get some flak if they push through with their initial plan because this might become a COVID-spreader event, knowing that each camp will probably bring their own supporters to cheer them on...