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Editorial Opinion

Freedom disarmed

Yesterday, February 24, the Senate held a hearing on the renewal of ABS-CBN’s media franchise and its alleged violations of the conditions stipulated in Republic Act 7966, the law that allows it to operate as a broadcasting company. Two weeks prior, Solicitor General Jose Calida filed a quo warranto petition before the Supreme Court seeking…

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Editorial Opinion

A silent response

On December 31, 2019, a day before the world entered into a new year, the first case of what has come to be known as the 2019 novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease was reported in Wuhan, China. As of press time, over 35,000 cases have been confirmed across 28 countries worldwide, leaving over 800 people…

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Editorial Opinion

Hounding the watchdog

On December 19, Judge Jocelyn Solis Reyes served the long-awaited verdict on the Maguindanao Massacre case, 10 years after it took place. Regarded as one of the worst election-related violence in the country and the deadliest single attack on journalists in history, the Quezon City Regional Trial court found brothers Zaldy Ampatuan, Sajid Ampatuan, and…

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Editorial Opinion

Changing times

What none of his recent predecessors have done, Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno has arguably accomplished since he took office last June 30. He cracked down on drinking establishments within school zones that served liquor to minors—and even made a surprise inspection in Sherwood Place near DLSU—by enforcing pre-existing ordinances that have, for the…

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Editorial Opinion

Just criticism

“We should forgive…but we should never forget.” In a matter of hours, this statement, which was delivered by a Legislative Assembly Representative candidate running under the banner of Santugon sa Tawag ng Panahon (Santugon) in the Miting de Avance for the 2019 Special Elections, reverberated across social media, drawing flak even beyond the University. The…

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Editorial Opinion

Reviving Trust

In the year 2000, the Philippines breathed a sigh of relief as the World Health Organization (WHO) delivered the good news and declared the country polio-free. The country, at that time, had not had a documented case of polio for seven years. That all changed this year when the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed two…

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Editorial Opinion

Feeling under the weather

With the arrival of the monsoon season naturally comes the anticipation for weather updates, which local governments and various institutions turn to as basis for taking precautionary measures, such as cancelling classes or office work. Coordination and efficiency are thus of paramount importance—especially when it comes to public safety. This was perhaps what lawmakers in…

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Editorial Opinion

Flagging pride

When discussing the Philippine LGBTQ+ community and the sentiments toward them, a question usually raised is, “How accepting of the LGBTQ+ community is the Philippines?” The Philippines is considered as one of the most gay-friendly countries globally according to an article written by the Philippine Daily Inquirer in 2013. But just last year, a Social…

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Opinion

The debate on debates

Last February 25, Otso Diretso requested Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) to participate in a debate in Plaza Miranda. Candidates from HNP did not show up, however, and instead opted to continue with their scheduled campaign sorties in Bulacan and Valenzuela City. Sara Duterte, HNP’s campaign manager, cited that they will not participate in a palengke-style,…

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Opinion

Birth of the new bogeyman

Last January 28, the final reading of the bill lowering the minimum age of criminal liability from 15 to 12 years old was passed by the House of Representatives. Many were taken aback by the speed in which the bill was passed, many more were afronted at the implication that children as young as 12…