Rappler's latest stories on Thought Leaders
[OPINION] Iceland 1, China 0: The diplomatic significance of the U.N. Human Rights Council vote on the Philippines
The UNHRC vote was the first great test of Duterte’s diplomatic investment in China, and it proved disastrous: China simply could not deliver the votes
[ANALYSIS] Philippine defense spending in 2018: What data tells us
The Philippines has to be smart about improving its security beyond defense budgets and military acquisitions and allocations
[OPINION] How to stop the Duterte killing machine
A United Nations-led investigation can help end the mass murder and climate of impunity in the Philippines
[ANALYSIS] Duterte’s weak grasp of the maritime case on South China Sea
Philippines v China 101
[ANALYSIS] Praise Duterte for lowering inflation? He didn’t do it
Since we’re coming from very high prices last year, and prices have now stabilized at high levels, we can expect inflation to drop significantly this year – all thanks to the base effect
[ANALYSIS] Kapa Ministry: A symptom of poor financial inclusion
Beefing up financial inclusion in the Philippines could be an effective way to stifle the viral spread of Ponzi schemes like Kapa, especially in the provinces
[OPINION] Remember who you are, remember whose you are
In the face of all that is going on in our world, be good people. We do not need to become the monsters we seek to defeat.
[OPINION] The importance of integrity
Our territorial integrity is like our personal integrity. We must maintain, protect, and defend both with all the power at our command because they are priceless.
[OPINION] Understanding separation of Church and state
Its misunderstanding can be used to silence the Church
[OPINION] The sublime and unfathomable wisdom of Rodrigo Duterte
The key to understanding President Duterte’s gospel has been there all along, hiding in plain sight as though to mock imperceptive doubters like us: 'We are friends with China.'
[OPINION | Newspoint] A nation held to ransom
Duterte's betrayals actually go further and deeper.
[OPINION] A facade of smiles over the Recto Bank incident
From within the government's ranks, all is definitely not well with President Duterte’s pro-Beijing policy
[ANALYSIS] A law too small for its title
The proposed 'endo' law, which awaits President Duterte's signature, misses its target. Here's why.
[OPINION] United Nations stands with Pride
The struggle for the rights of LGBTQ+ people is a core part of the struggle for the full and equal enjoyment of human rights by all
[OPINION] Before it breaks down, we need to keep constitutional order
There are neither absolute rights nor absolute powers in the constitutional order. And a society which fails to observe these norms will ultimately decay from anarchy or atrophy.
[ANALYSIS] Why is Duterte still so popular?
President Rodrigo Duterte's enduring popularity is baffling. What are the factors that might explain it?
[OPINYON] Kaibigang putik sa social media
Mga mungkahing script kapag ang kaibigan mo ay nagse-share ng fake 'news' sa social media
[ANALYSIS] Sodom, Gomorrah, and the fate of gender equality
At the heart of the resistance is the moral conviction that to be queer is not only strange, it is evil
[OPINION] The Philippines needs submarines
China has chosen the path of bullying its neighbors, forcing the Philippines to walk a very cautious line to protect its sovereign rights and citizens
[ANALYSIS] Is Duterte ready to handle a looming Middle East crisis?
The attack on two cargo ships in the Gulf of Oman on June 13 poses a grave problem for President Duterte, as the country risks getting entangled in a larger power play that could result in a major regional conflict
[OPINION] Aswang: A strange new energy
Contemporary Filipinos have humorously deconstructed and reconstructed the aswang and its beastly kin as intimate parts of the Filipino worldview, much like the beasts of ancient Greek mythology
[OPINION] The 22 fishermen must learn a proper fist bump
Well aware of how symbolic the gesture is of the President’s zeal in defending Filipinos like themselves, they really ought to do it better if they know what’s good for them
[OPINYON] Pagsakay sa bangka
Sa insidenteng nangyari sa bangka at sa mangingisda, malinaw din na magkabarkada ang ating pamahalaan at iyong pamahalaan ng nambangga. Iisa ang kanilang bangka.
[ANALYSIS] Will boat sinking put pressure on ASEAN Summit?
The ramming of a Filipino boat by a Chinese vessel in the Reed Bank could force Southeast Asian countries to put pressure on China for an early agreement on a rules-based code
[ANALYSIS] China vs Filipino fishermen: Where is Duterte’s ‘tapang at malasakit’?
Duterte’s recent behavior betrays the fact he has neither courage nor compassion
[ANALYSIS] Rebuilding the Left's shattered electoral base
A bastardized party list system weakened the base of progressive parties. What now?
[ANALYSIS] China, the patron, is Duterte's reality check
Duterte the patron knows what a patron expects – debt of gratitude, acquiescence despite being wronged, and the unconditional acceptance that the patron will make up for mistakes, one way or the other
[ANALYSIS] China’s new Great Wall
China has not stopped building imaginary walls to protect its maritime Silk Road, and the Philippines will soon be a part of the defense line
[OPINION] Mitraydor na gyud ka’g maayo, Mayor!
Nganong anaon man intawon ninyo nang mga pobreng mananagat Mayor? Abi nako mulaban ka sa mga Pinoy? Imbis kana ang imong gibuhat, imo hinuong gipasakitan sila sa pinaagi sa mga insulto ni Locsin ug ni Panelo.
[ANALYSIS] Why the influx of Chinese in the Philippines?
From 2005 to 2018 the number of Chinese holders of alien employment permits issued by the Department of Labor and Employment has grown by 24 times
[OPINION] The press owes society courage
Marty Baron, executive editor of The Washington Post says: 'The American press has been given extraordinary freedom by the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the First Amendment. In return, it owes society courage.'
[ANALYSIS] A workers’ alternative for Hanjin
It is time to consider workers’ control as a viable antidote for bankrupt private businesses and, more essential, for imagining a new peoples’ economy
[OPINION | Newspoint] Hounds at the door
If the cumulative death count to date is 5,000, that means the killings have slowed to 1,000 in the past year and a half. But does that mean the government will now allow itself to be investigated?
[ANALYSIS] Now’s the best time to rethink China policy
The Philippines should not be timid in resisting China’s bullying tactics at sea
[OPINION] When Greta met Gina: Save our planet
It is our young today who rightly have stepped up, embracing the price that needs to be paid to secure our common future. Greta Thunberg has met Gina Lopez, so to speak.
[ANALYSIS] Increasing maritime domain awareness: The P3C Orion option
The Philippines must think twice before agreeing to the transfer of a P3C Orion platform only, because the government would end up spending more to refurbish an old plane
[OPINYON] All these middle class tito things
Madalas, itinatanong ko sa sarili kung paano ko na-survive ang panahong wala pa akong gadget, walang internet, walang Facebook account
[ANALYSIS] Work on alternatives and growth, before speeding into federal system
What we should be speeding up in the second half of the administration is more policy reform and economic growth, not changing parts and engines
[OPINION] The legacy of D-Day
People did not fight 75 years ago for some of those in power today to use their sacrifices as a means to foist fascist beliefs to eradicate legitimate dissent
[OPINION] A call for a South China Sea truth movement
The Philippines must harness the power of communications through the internet in protecting its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea
[OPINION] Predeparture inspection of domestic vessels should no longer be PCG’s task
It is no longer practiced in other parts of the world, and it allows shipowners not to share the blame when sea mishaps happen
[ANALYSIS] Your fish is your future
Ensuring the health of Philippine fisheries – and the country's economy – will not just require robust law enforcement and improved science
[ANALYSIS] US-China trade war: Where does the Philippines stand?
If we can quickly lower the costs of doing business, beef up our competitiveness, and promote enough export-oriented manufacturers, the US-China trade war could turn into a blessing in disguise
[OPINION] Who's afraid of a Filipino petit-liberal?
The academic critics of Leloy Claudio opted for the easy way out – simply accuse him of being a threat to Filipino leftists and at the same time a de facto ally of the brutal regime of Rodrigo Duterte
[OPINION | NEWSPOINT] The specter of succession
President Duterte cannot risk a successor who cannot guarantee him immunity from prosecution – plausibly for treason, in ceding to China control over the resource-rich West Philippine Sea; for extrajudicial killings in his war on drugs. Indeed, he can ill afford to be out of power.
[ANALYSIS] Is the Kaliwa Dam actually viable?
Make no mistake: while affected communities stand to lose most from the dam’s development, water consumers and taxpayers will also shoulder the long-term risks and burdens of the Kaliwa project
[OPINION] Why senior high school needs urgent fixing
Despite severe birth pains, the SHS program is here to stay. But we need to know as soon as possible which parts of it are working and which aren’t.
[ANALYSIS] Huawei and the Shangri-La Dialogue
The Pentagon sets its eyes on Beijing in a new Indo-Pacific security strategy that is expected to be unveiled at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, which begins Friday, May 31
[OPINION | Dash of SAS] School punishment for boys and girls
The cases of Philippine Science High School now and St. Theresa's College Cebu in 2012 show that, when it comes to meting out punishment, an iron hand is used for girls while boys are treated with kid gloves
[OPINION] Rekindling hope in new breed of alternative leaders
What our recent experience tells us is that there is hope, imperceptible at first glance but solid at a second moment of reflection
