The opposition is insisting that the country is undergoing a rice crisis and that the administration is to blame for the rising prices of the different varieties of rice.

If one presidentiable is to be believed, it seems that the government has not done a thing to address the many problems plaguing the agricultural sector, especially the rice farmers.

Let’s take another look at the present rice “crisis.” In Asia, many rice-producing countries are having problems with rice stocks due to calamities and the rapid expansion of cities which encroach on rice lands.

Rice production is seasonal, and it is true that supply is dictated by the seasons. This happens to be the lean months, while demand remains high in many areas of the region. Naturally, the price of rice soars in view of limited supplies. But in other Asian countries, rice surpluses are high, and so we get our additional stocks from these countries. In effect, supply of rice is still assured.

We may have high prices of rice but we are not alone. In Thailand, the biggest rice-producing country in Asia, rice prices are hitting the roof, and the same situation is found in Indonesia, Cambodia and in Bangladesh, as well as in other parts of Asia.

The problem is prevalent because of a number of economic and natural factors, and the best way to resolve it is to address the problem frontally, which is what the President has done. Photo-ops and grandstanding are definitely not the answer.

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‪After two days of hogging the headlines, buried in the inner pages of a broadsheet on March 28 is the denial of Archbishop Oscar Cruz that he won’t give communion to the President and her family.

We are glad that the archbishop came out to deny the headlines categorically. We were beginning to think that the clergy has already acquired the power to condemn those believed to have sinned in lieu of the grace to save the faithful from sin. In the parlance of our justice system, one is always presumed innocent until proven guilty.

If one is denied communion, is one condemned to a life of sin or is our faith not strong enough to seek God’s mercy if we pray for forgiveness?

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‪A Filipino version of the Playboy magazine is coming out soon. No, this is not in answer to the call of some priests and bishops to “bare all.”

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‪Despite the announcement of a Japanese agency that the Philippines is the least choice of foreign investors, the country continues to attract capital into the country. Just recently, a German firm announced its plans to invest some P1.3 billion into its two plants already in the country because of “highly qualified work force, upbeat market and impressive government support given to foreign investors.”

This is unsolicited opinion from a German company, and we are certain that many investors have the same story to tell.

Despite our lack of sophistication in many areas of enticing foreign investors, we are still packing them in, and this is a tangible approval that we are doing the right thing.

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‪This summer, there are two places that are far from the beaten path but their offerings are guaranteed surprisingly excellent: Guimaras and Zambales. Both are dotted with islands and coves and beaches and resorts that offer the best accommodations, the best food and the best prices. This is the surprise. Try them.

All’s well that ends well.

That’s the obvious conclusion now that the Sumilao farmers and San Miguel Corp. have hammered out what appears to be a win-win solution for both sides, and we’re glad that this case highlighting the long-standing problem of agrarian reform and social injustice in this country is now over.

Returning from a conference in Mexico, I witnessed an unusual scene. An American at Cabos airport was attempting to pay for his drinks with a British 20-pound note.

I have yet to find a person who will sincerely say that he does not want to be wealthy. While there may be those who claim they prefer not to be wealthy, I really doubt that they really meant what they say.

Through the Looking Glass: Protecting pretense and privilege

Because one person sought protection from having to complete a self-ignited allegation, refusing to perfect accusations and hiding behind secrecy and privilege, we may have just inadvertently endangered the last pillar holding up our increasingly endangered democracy.

Coast-to-Coast: On rice and ODA: Fix the problem, not the blame

It is a sad commentary in our time that for every problem coming our way, the preferred and, in some instances, the only solution by people who should know better is to fix the blame, not the problem.

The Entrepreneur: No threats, please

A big mistake!

That’s the first thing that came to mind after reading reports that a member of the Cabinet had threatened to send tax examiners to private companies following the Makati Business Club’s (MBC) statement calling for the resignation of officials in connection with the controversial national broadband network (NBN)-ZTE contract.

Reflections from the Mirror: Rice prices rise

The opposition is insisting that the country is undergoing a rice crisis and that the administration is to blame for the rising prices of the different varieties of rice.