OPINION

FIRING LINE: Much ado about Fernando By Robert B. Roque Jr.  l  February 26, 2026 There’s been a whole list of much-ado-about-nothing stories lately — from the arrest of vlogger Norman Mangusin, alias “Francis Leo Marcos,” over cyber complaints, fake identities, and even unauthorized police-uniform use. A social-media quarrel dressed up as law enforcement triumph:…

FIRING LINE: The danger with landfills By Robert B. Roque Jr.  l  February 24, 2026 The only reason last Friday’s massive trash-mound collapse at the Rizal Provincial Sanitary Landfill (RPSL) in Rodriguez town feels like a no-big-deal story is simple: no one has been reported killed. At least, not yet. And hopefully, none. It was…

FIRING LINE: Spy season By Robert B. Roque Jr.  l February 19, 2026 l Manila, Philippines Gong Xi Fa Cai! Welcome to the Chinese New Year of the (Trojan?) Horse! More often do I see journos visiting the inroads of China in their inviting posts on social media. Tourism diplomacy works both ways, of course,…

FIRING LINE: Accountability, not political comfort By Robert B. Roque Jr.  l February 17, 2026 l Manila, Philippines Senator Ping Lacson puts it out as plainly as can be, saying the proposed Senate Blue Ribbon Committee report has been reworded, but the substance remains the same — out of accommodation for the sentiments of colleagues…

FIRING LINE: Graduates must not be torn between 2 parents By Robert B. Roque Jr.  l February 12, 2026 l Manila, Philippines A former yaya of my kids has reached a proud moment — her only son is graduating from elementary school. However, at the recent PTA meeting, they were informed that only one guest…

FIRING LINE: OA in the Senate By Robert B. Roque Jr.  l February 10, 2026 l Manila, Philippines This past weekend, the infamous speech at the plenary given by Sen. Robinhood Padilla last January 26 has kept flashing across my social media walls. I hadn’t given that speech much attention two weeks ago since I…