What I've been writing: Columns from March to May 2026
Let's catch up!
Dear readers,
It’s been a while since my last proper newsletter. Here’s a roundup of my columns and articles published since March 7, each with a short note from me on what I explored.
The Long View (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Putting lipstick on a pig — May 27, 2026 I looked at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s long history of being used for political score-settling and how its current composition — full of senators facing their own legal issues — undermines any claim to credibility. The public is rightly skeptical when those under scrutiny try to rebrand the institution while avoiding the truth that could bind them. Read here
Useful idiots — May 25, 2026 I reflected on the trauma and raw emotions in the Senate after the leadership coup and armed incident, and how members of the new majority risk becoming useful idiots in a larger game of self-preservation. Public contempt is growing as self-control and institutional restraint seem increasingly absent. Read here
Principle — May 20, 2026 I examined the political math in the Senate, where the “coalition of the charged” needs key votes for survival, and how figures like Escudero hold significant leverage. Pragmatism versus principle remains the central tension as senators weigh alliances and long-term consequences. Read here
Delulu — May 18, 2026 I questioned how long Alan Peter Cayetano’s Senate presidency can last amid the chaos, and whether public opinion, tradition, or fear of the law can still restrain senators in an era of deepening institutional decay. What used to check power seems weaker than ever. Read here
The cannonball run — May 13, 2026 I analyzed Sen. Bato dela Rosa’s dramatic escape and reappearance as part of the turmoil following the Senate leadership change. The “Coalition of the Charged” is clearly prioritizing self-preservation amid legal pressures and shifting public mood. Read here
Instrument of last resort — May 11, 2026 I revisited impeachment as a constitutional “break glass in case of emergency” tool that has been weakened by repeated misuse and institutional distrust of majorities. We’ve made it easier to deploy but harder to respect as a legitimate mechanism. Read here
And then there were none — May 6, 2026 I tracked the House Justice Committee’s unanimous approval of articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte and the methodical process that followed the earlier nullification. The Senate now faces a historic trial with serious implications. Read here
Stronger and weaker — May 4, 2026 I observed patterns showing the administration’s continuing consolidation of power while steadily weakening the influence of the Dutertes and their allies. Supreme Court decisions and other moves point to a broader realignment in the balance of influence. Read here
The rights of the dead — April 29, 2026 I reflected on the human and strategic costs of conflict through the lens of the 2013 Zamboanga siege, emphasizing the need for discipline and restraint even in urban warfare. Leaders must weigh lives and infrastructure carefully when force is used. Read here
Lethal affidavit? — April 15, 2026 I examined the explosive supplemental affidavit by Ramil Madriaga and its revelations about Duterte family dynamics, coalition agreements, and the flow of funds. It adds significant weight to the impeachment proceedings against the Vice President. Read here
Realignments — April 13, 2026 I looked at the ongoing political realignments amid global unease from the Middle East conflict and how President Marcos has handled the situation with a disciplined, low-drama approach. Early surveys suggest shifts in public perception of leadership. Read here
Other Pieces
Global Asia Forum: Iran War Hurts ASEAN, but it Still needs the US — April 9, 2026 I argued that while the Iran conflict inflicted serious economic and security pain on ASEAN, the region still views the United States as an indispensable strategic partner for long-term stability. The crisis exposed vulnerabilities but didn’t eliminate the need for balanced relationships. Read here
All my recent columns are also archived on quezon.ph.
Consider this…
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Thank you, as always, for reading.