OPINION

FIRING LINE: Enough of patronage politics By Robert B. Roque Jr. | April 21, 2026 There is nothing novel about enforcing order in the streets. What is new Enough of patronage politics Senator Robin Padilla is one of the names being floated in discussions for the vice presidency in 2028, largely on account of his winnability….

FIRING LINE: The irritating cost of government seminars By Robert B. Roque Jr.  l March 17, 2026 A few months ago, social media was abuzz over Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) delegates who reportedly went to Thailand for a “seminar,” accompanied by more telling photos of their “major, major” itinerary, including riding elephants. That alone raised eyebrows…

FIRING LINE: 7 deadly signs By Robert B. Roque Jr.  | February 5, 2026 What the proud Philippine National Police (PNP) organization presented last Monday were numbers that are certainly impressive — on paper. A reported 24.32 percent drop in “focus crimes” nationwide in January, from 3,236 cases last year to 2,449 this year, is…

FIRING LINE: Political breeding  By Robert B. Roque, Jr. | December 30, 2025. I want to think young Congressman Leandro Leviste is straight as an arrow, and in the habit of putting himself out there in the naked light of social media to bare uncomfortable truths for the public good. He has certainly cast himself…

FIRING LINE: Another time for Torre to shine By Robert B. Roque, Jr. | December 25, 2025. A few days after the unceremonious axing of Gen. Nicolas Torre III as PNP chief, Malacañang rushed in front of seething opinions by way of an assurance. Press Officer Claire Castro said there was no fault in Torre…

FIRING LINE:  Angry cops in a glass house By Robert B. Roque Jr. l November 6, 2025 Each time the Philippine National Police (PNP) parades a civilian before cameras as a criminal for donning a police uniform at a Halloween party, it only puts itself under harsher scrutiny. Yes, the uniform must be respected –…

FIRING LINE:  Come lie with me By Robert B. Roque Jr. I October 30, 2025 Twenty senators have bared their Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs). Four have not. Alan Peter Cayetano, Imee Marcos, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, and Rodante Marcoleta — what’s the holdup? The law is clear: the SALN is not…