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John Carlo Mago and Audrei Jeremy Mendador Transport group Manibela Chairman Mar Valbuena called for the suspension and review of the PUV Modernization Program on Thursday, following the 90-day extension for franchise consolidation. “Panawagan natin na i-suspend ito totally para lahat ng mga loopholes nito [ay] maayos natin at baka mas may makita tayong ibang way na mag-succeed itong programa,” Valbuena said in an interview with ANC’s Headstart.    While they welcome the extension, he said that the government should eliminate the franchise consolidation deadline to give drivers and operators the autonomy to decide whether they want to consolidate or not. Due to the deadlines, Valbuena shared instances where drivers and operators were compelled to consolidate but did not want to modernize their units. “Papaano po magiging successful ‘yung programa kung ganito ‘yung kaisipan na tumatatak doon sa ating mga kasamahan dahil nga mawawalan na sila ng pag-aari, mawawalan na sil...

Angelee Kaye Abelinde Bagama’t konstitusyon ang binatayan ng Kongreso sa paggamit ng People’s Initiative upang isulong ang Charter Change, binigyang-diin ni dating Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio na hindi pa rin ito maituturing na konstitusyonal dahil hindi lamang amyenda ang ipinapanukala nito kundi tuluyang pagbago sa Saligang Batas. “I strongly believe it is unconstitutional. The people’s initiative concept was borrowed from the US. People’s initiative can only amend the constitution. It cannot revise the constitution,” saad ni Carpio sa panayam ng ANC 24/7, Huwebes.  Naging basehan ng Kongreso sa naturang panukala ang nakasaad sa Artikulo XVII, Seksiyon 2 ng Saligang Batas ng 1987 na kinakailangan lamang ng pirmang hindi bababa sa 12 porsiyento ng mga botante at tatlong bahagdan ng bawat 254 distrito ng bansa upang maamyendahan ang Saligang Batas. Subalit, binanggit ni Carpio ang Commission on Election Resolution No. 10650 na nagsasaad na hanggang pagdaragdag...

Carl Sean Margate Have you ever wondered about the secret conversations happening in the natural world around you? The chattering leaves, the distant calls of birds, the mysterious clicks of sperm whales—are they just random noises, or do they conceal a language that we have yet to comprehend? Photo courtesy of Pixabay In recent years, groundbreaking research fueled by artificial intelligence has opened a new window into the realm of animal communication. Current scientific research has unveiled a startling connection between human speech and the vocalizations of sperm whales. Just as vowels play a crucial role in our linguistic patterns, clicks in sperm whale vocalizations seem to follow a similar structure. This discovery opens a new chapter in our understanding of animal communication by questioning long-held beliefs about the diversity of non-human languages. One notable contribution to this scientific revolution is DeepSqueak, a machine learning tool developed by Kevin Coffey, a n...

Jericko Arangis In the mysterious archipelago called bureaucracy paradise (Philippines) where red tape flows like the majestic river, I find myself enticed by the papers, queues, and a labyrinth of government procedures. Efficiency? Forget it! We’re here to savor the sheer pleasure brought by the bureaucratic jungle. What is red tape, you ask? Oh, such brilliantly crafted red tape – the best ride around the never-ending world of paperwork. Picture this: an elaborate maze of rules, laws, and steps befitting Herodotus describing them to a veteran detective with a loupe and doctorate in Egyptian hieroglyphics. It’s some kind of Filipinized version added to bureaucracy.    There is one thing everybody in the Philippines understands – there is no easy way when it comes to getting a certain document. However, why must such an odyssey be dull? Come on, you all, it’s fun! When seeking a simple government identification, all I see is the art of form-filling and signature. It takes a ...

Ritzie Lao The Philippines faces a critical juncture in its overall economic state. As the nation contends with a burgeoning transport crisis, Filipino commuters find themselves under immense strain. Simultaneously, the specter of a looming economic crisis casts a shadow over the country's future. Yet, amid these pressing challenges, a paradox emerges – the very figure entrusted with navigating the nation's course appears to be steering not only the ship of state but also his own wheels towards lavish foreign travels. Cartoon by Gabriel Bazan Bongbong Marcos is set to allocate a substantial budget of P1.408 billion for his domestic and international travels in the upcoming year, as stipulated by Republic Act No. 11975, also known as the General Appropriations Act of 2024, which he endorsed on December 20 at Malacañang. This represents a notable increase of 58% compared to his 2023 travel budget of P893.57 million. While the majority of Filipinos grapple with the rising price...

Cartoon by Alex Macatuno  

  Cartoon by Alex Macatuno

  Cartoon by Alex Macatuno

  Cartoon by Maurice Gimena

  Cartoon by Jascyl Jee Sayson

Raymond Carl Gato “Bagong Bayani” kung tawagin ng nakararami, ang Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) ay ang mga Pilipinong migrante na nakikipagsapalaran sa iba’t ibang bansa upang maghanap-buhay. Ayon sa Oktubre 2023 na datos ng Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), mayroong 1.96 milyong OFWs ang Pilipinas. Kumpara sa 2017-2019 na datos kung saan pumalo sa 2.33 milyon ang OFWs, bumaba ang mga numero pagsapit ng 2020 hanggang sa kasalukuyan. Maituturong puno’t dulo ng pagbaba ng datos na ito ang pandemyang COVID-19 na nagdulot ng panganib sa kalusugan ng mga manggagawa at nagtulak sa iba’t ibang mga lider na magpataw ng travel ban. Ayon sa sarbey ng Social Weather Stations noong 2022, 7% ng mga Filipino households ay mayroong naninirahan na OFW. Bukod sa pagiging bayani ng kani-kanilang mga pamilya, paano nga ba nakakatutulong ang mga OFWs sa bansa? At gaano nga ba kalaki ang salaping inaambag nila sa ekonomiya ng Pilipinas? Ano’ng ambag mo? Ayon sa datos ng Central Bank of the Phil...

Bea Santina, Geelyn Avanceña, and Rinoa dela Cruz Other people would immerse themselves in music because it lets them vent their emotions. It allows them to express anger, loneliness, or even being brokenhearted. One musical duo is just an example of the artists pushing themselves to break through the music industry with these emotions and a bond that only the two of them could share. Meet the two friends who dream of becoming successful artists, the rising singer and songwriter Primo and aspiring music producer Allan Benavides. They both joined Mirasol Records because of a familiar friend who invited them.    Primo and Allan’s bond has created great teamwork and unique song releases as a musical duo and partner. Aside from this, the duo had already formed a bond before joining the label. Well, believe it or not, Primo and Allan met through an invitation to them and, with the help of the strings of luck, ventured towards the world of a music artist. Since then, the two h...