Third of a four-part seriesIN the previous parts of this series, we explored how the Philippine state is not inherently “weak,” but is instead “captured” — its institutions repurposed to serve narrow interests rather than the common good. To understand…

Second of a four-part seriesTHE first part of this series last week argued that the 39-year failure to implement the constitutional ban on political dynasties (polidyn) is not a matter of legislative delay, but a structural design rooted in a…

First of a four-part seriesTHE sudden burst of legislative enthusiasm in both chambers of Congress to “finally operationalize” Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution — mandating the State to “guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and…

I BEGAN this series (TMT, Jan 28, 2026) by tracking the wreckage left by Trump’s initiatives: tariffs hurled at China that boomeranged onto American consumers, just as economists warned; a Venezuela stunt that smelled of domestic distraction from the Epstein…