The Arroyo administration notched another first—the lowest budget deficit in 10 years, or since before her time. It may be a long way from balancing the budget, but it is an encouraging thing to finally post the lowest deficit which was what was forecast and almost hitting it on the head.

It means that all the economic parameters set by the Arroyo economic team have been met and are helping the government strategists forecast more accurately. 

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The French love our skilled workers so much, they are opening their doors to let in skilled Filipino workers through an agreement on economic migration with our country. Their labor market is in need of thousands of skilled workers, and the Philippines is one of the few Asian countries qualified to fill in the void. The work contract may cover a three-year agreement, renewable only once, allowing workers their freedom to move around, thereby discouraging the brain drain. In a number of categories, the first priority would be the hiring of foreign workers already in France, either legally or illegally. By the latest count, there are some 65,000 Filipino workers in France and about half of them are unregistered. This is a new arena of opportunity for our thousands of skilled workers in Europe which we hope will create other markets for Filipino OFWs whose outlook has become global.

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NPA rebels have announced it is open season for mining sites, the majority of which hold mining permits and licenses from the government. It is a wonder how such these rebels could still go around broadcasting their programs of terror when they are hell-bent on having their organization stricken from the rolls of those declared as terrorist groups. And they have been terrorizing the countryside, if only to get the attention of the local police or the media, but for what end? What is the value of a destroyed cell-phone tower? What strategic win is there in the burning of a bus? What logistical testimony can we squeeze out of a terrorized village? Is this the so-called people’s army? Or is it an army operating against the people? We have grown tired of such pests. It’s time for the NPA to rethink its position.

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The Senate investigation of Mr. Jun Lozada has been made to extend for so many days, but the streets are empty of protesters, whom the so-called investigation-in-aid-of-legislation hopes to bring out of their homes to trigger something more spectacular. As one sociologist suggested, people are tired of so many causes,  and that the greatest cause nowadays seem to be how to make both ends meet and exploit the bonanza the country is now enjoying. The stock market is still doing great, the forex is still showing the strength of the peso, and business opportunities are everywhere.

The DOJ was assigned by the President to investigate some of the allegations made by Lozada during the Senate investigation. We have to respond in a manner that could enlighten the people on which are facts and which is fiction. We will treat everything thrown at us as a challenge, a case to build, separating the peripheral from the visceral, and making sure that the truth will be the light of our sleuthing. I am quite sure that at some point, the government agencies investigating the allegations will themselves be accused of some hanky-panky, but that’s the risk we all have to take, if democracy must be allowed to continue to function. But, first of all, we must all keep an open mind and painstakingly sift through the often-confusing rhetoric and search for that elusive nugget of truth. In it lies our salvation.

THE Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) is one of the most low-key but competent entities of government. Though funded by the State, its experts and scholars have, through the years—and under several presidents—built up a well-deserved reputation as a serious, competent think tank.

As Hillary Clinton, John McCain and Barack Obama mull over how to make voters feel better about the future, they might want to read Kishore Mahbubani’s new book.

It is a bit frightening that we have progressed to the point where there is little meaningful discussion about some issues.

In the not-too-distant past, it seemed there was an excitement over the fact the knowledge and, therefore, wisdom, changed constantly as new facts were discovered and brought to light.

About Town: Which side will prevail?

That was an exhausting 10-hour hearing at the Senate on Monday on the controversial ZTE-NBN deal, with key witness Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada again being grilled by senators, this time on his alleged abduction upon his arrival from Hong Kong the other Tuesday.

Reflections from the Mirror: We pity the lonely rebel

The Arroyo administration notched another first—the lowest budget deficit in 10 years, or since before her time. It may be a long way from balancing the budget, but it is an encouraging thing to finally post the lowest deficit which was what was forecast and almost hitting it on the head.

Tax Law for Business: Arm’s length standard in transfer pricing

As the saying goes, “All is fair in love and war.” But this may not be necessarily so when it comes to taxation. In taxation, parties attached to each other may agree on terms that may not be fair to the other, even if such arrangement is for the good of both.

Alálaong bagá: God’s graciousness in truth

Man’s undeserved gifts from God are received in faith and in obedience, as Abraham did (Genesis 12:1-4). The truth of divine graciousness culminates in the life and mission of Jesus the Christ and in our fidelity to him (Matthew 17:1-9).