In an attempt to attract investors,  the government passed yet another neoliberal policy favoring foreign interests over Filipino welfare. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the Republic Act No. 12252, “ AN ACT LIBERALIZING THE LEASE OF PRIVATE LANDS BY FOREIGN INVESTORS, ESTABLISHING THE STABILITY OF LONG-TERM LEASE CONTRACTS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7652, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "INVESTORS' LEASE ACT”  last August 29, 2025. The signing sparked criticism

The rain begins as a soft rhythm against the rooftops, which some people find comforting. But for some residents in the Philippines, they don’t just reach for umbrellas—they brace for another flood. For many of them, the sound of heavy rain is not a comfort but a warning. The water rises quietly at first, seeping into the streets, then into homes, until life once again floats on uncertainty. Everyday Life Beneath the Floodline In flood-prone communities, rain is rarely someth

With more than 97,000 students systemwide, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) is the country’s largest state university by student population, yet it remains underfunded and continues to face possibilities of commercialization and privatization.    Founded in October 1904—PUP is celebrating its 121st anniversary this year with the theme “ PUP@121: Inspiring, Uplifting, Transforming.”  But how can a school inspire, uplift, and transform the lives of its studen