P22 per meal: Fresh definition of comfort
Being classified as ‘nonpoor’ on paper doesn’t mean life has suddenly become easier.
Section
COMMENTARY
Columnists, editorials, guest essays, and letters — Daily Tribune Opinion.
A new dawn for BARMM
After decades of conflict and neglect, a new dawn is emerging for the region. Among the BARMM ministries, three require increased…
Trump’s power hand
In short, don’t expect Trump ‘to go gentle into the political twilight of his career,’ particularly since he remains president of the…
Weaponized process
Despite several prosecution claims being exposed during the trial as false, some observers believe that certain senator-judges appeared to…
Futile BSP formula
When loans become costlier, households borrow less, and businesses slash investments.
Middle class faces extinction
When the economy slows, businesses stop hiring. They stop expanding, and some close. Middle-class families depend on those jobs and…
Lame duck in 2028
Whoever Marcos anoints will inherit the flood control scandal, the budget controversies, the economic contraction and the trust deficit.
Duterte succession problem
Pulong, if Baste becomes president, will you have to call him sir?
The trolls are not free speech
The people we go after are often among the wealthiest in the country, and they don’t only hire lawyers; they hire networks.
Growth for whom?
Too often, leaders point to glowing macroeconomic projections while ordinary citizens experience the economy rather differently.
Call it what it is
Stagflation is the toxic mix of stagnant output, rising joblessness and rising prices.
Ship flounders
Growth has largely slowed since the start of the Marcos Jr. administration, with five consecutive quarters of slowdown since late 2025,…
Tables, not apples
Enough with the tired defense, “Kahit anong gawin, may sasabihin.” Questioning how taxpayers' money is spent is not ingratitude. It is…
Shaky start
As opening moves go, this is hardly the confident start one might have expected, especially after weeks of preparation.
Window dressing poverty
We act like a host who borrows money to buy an expensive dining set to impress the neighbors, while the roof over our own children’s heads…
Random lessons Philippine realpolitik teaches
One might think he was the Naked Emperor, telling many unbelievable things, thereby passing off projects carried over from the last…
Yes, we (oro)can!
You cannot do a disservice to the people now and expect to be accommodated in 2028, when the tide begins to turn. Such a firm stance is the…
Eyesores, the poor ain’t
A vendor who loses a day’s income does not become less poor because a visiting leader fails to see him.
