The strength of a democracy is measured not only by the quality of its leaders but also by the resilience of its institutions. Among these institutions, the Senate occupies a unique place. Designed by the Constitution to be a deliberative body and a check against the excesses of power, it is expected to rise above...
Author: Rafael R. Castillo
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The Desert Storm within: A holistic survival guide for Filipinos in the Middle East
The millions of overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East are constantly suspended between hope and anxiety. Today, as geopolitical tensions escalate into a regional crisis, that anxiety has shifted from a low-grade hum to sharp clinical distress. Whether you are a nurse in Riyadh, an engineer in Dubai, or a household service worker in...
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Diagnosing the ‘Maduro script’: institutional health as the Philippines’ sovereign defense
In global politics, the diagnostic frame used to interpret power shifts often dictates the response. During a recent small-group clinical colloquium in Manila, the discussion shifted from research breakthroughs to the United States’ capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January. To observers, the US operation resembled a swift, invasive appendectomy that left the regional...
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The wrong target: Why doctors’ fees are not the main driver of hospitalization costs in the Philippines
Rising hospitalization costs in the Philippines are a legitimate and urgent concern for policymakers, patients, and providers alike. The Department of Health is right to focus on the growing financial burden faced by Filipino families. However, the recent emphasis on physicians’ professional fees risks not only misdiagnosing the problem but also diverting attention from the...
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Political crossroads: Reform, stability, and the limits of street pressure
Being away from the Philippines, even briefly, offers a vantage point that is both clarifying and sobering. From afar, the recent rallies that swept parts of Metro Manila appeared to me loud, impassioned, and unmistakably public in their demand for accountability. They have forced Malacañang to act swiftly—reshuffling sensitive positions, firing officials, and making high-profile...
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The pandemic exposed the cracks in the health system, and now is the time for rebuilding
Covid-19 was more than a worldwide health crisis. It was a stress test for every nation’s resilience. For the Philippines, the results were sobering. Hospitals overflowed, healthcare workers were stretched to exhaustion, and rural communities were rendered vulnerable and without access to doctors or medicines. Yet the pandemic also provided us clarity. It revealed not...
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Rising seas, rising hopes: Why the Philippines can lead in green energy
Every year, Filipinos brace for typhoons. The seas are creeping ever closer to our shores, drought constantly threatens our farms, and heat waves are stretching our health systems. The Philippines has been called “ground zero” for climate change, and for good reason: It ranks among the most climate-vulnerable nations in the world. At first glance,...