A lot of issues, a lot of ups and downs, but we are still standing towards the end of the year. 2019 was, indeed, a roller coaster ride for the Philippines and the Filipino people. As we look forward to a much better 2020, let us learn from the lessons of the past year and use them to not only improve ourselves further but to also make our nation and society far better than where they are now.

Winning as one nation and one people should become the norm as we work together to achieve our national goals, especially economic development and prosperity in all corners of the Philippines and for all Filipinos. We cannot and we should not be forever divided along ethnic, political, economic, religious and social lines forever, or else we are going to fail together as a nation and as a people.  

The "worse than a war zone" description of the Philippines made by Ressa through CBS News is nothing but fictional. A work of fiction that has the intention of putting down the Philippines and undermining the will of the majority of Filipinos and the duly-elected government of President Duterte. 

Loyalty games are a unique experience for a Lasallian and an Iskolar ng Bayan like myself because they are only times when we not only sing UP Naming Mahal and the La Salle Alma Mater Hymn in one game but also feel the intensity of the school spirit that both La Salle and UP Have. 

Physical and psychological abuse and violence should not have room in any organization or institution nor should it be used to measure brotherhood and camaraderie. There other less or not physically or psychologically exhausting of "testing" people who wish to join fraternities, sororities, organizations and institutions. 

Despite the government effort to provide the public with affordable means of transport in the form of modernized jeepneys, the likes of PISTON continue to being the obstructionists and opportunists that they are. They would rather let members of the commuting public continue to ride at their unsafe jeepneys while they rake in profit. 

Desperate times call for desperate measures. This is where Metro Manila and its suburbs are into with the worsening transport-related problems that they are facing. It is time for the Filipino people to support President Duterte in this uphill battle to relieve the metropolis from its traffic jam problems and build a real public transport system that everybody can use.

Academic freedom has been always been invoked by teachers and students who believe in the Marxist-Leninist-Maoist and liberal political ideologies in some schools, colleges and universities in the Philippines to protect themselves from scrutiny not only by the authorities but also by the majority of Filipinos who have been suspicious of their true intentions. 

Why do Filipinos who have the means to do prefer to buy a car instead of riding a bus, jeepney and UV Express shuttle van? Why would some prefer to pay more for Grab service instead of taking a bus, jeepney and UV Express shuttle van? It is because of the glaring absence of an effective, efficient and safe public transport system in the Philippines.

The President's move to suspend all the gaming activities of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) came as a surprise to everyone. PCSO officials said that they would adhere to the President's orders while they appeal to him to let the agency continue its operations as an investigation is being conducted.

For many years, commuters have been demanding from the government to work on creating a real public transport system not only for Metro Manila but also for the entire country. It is for this reason that the Duterte administration is embarking on two major programs to create the dream public transport network for the Philippines- “Build! Build! Build!,” which aims to construct more rail-based mass transport systems, and the jeepney fleet modernization program.

The SWS survey shows that freedom of speech and other democratic rights of Filipinos remain strong under President Duterte. Therefore, accusations that freedom of speech and democracy are being threatened under President Duterte are a lie.