12 June 2021 marked the 123rd celebration of Philippine Independence Day. The roots of this celebration can be traced to the time when former President Emilio Aguinaldo issued a 21-page decree entitled "Acta de la Proclamacion de la Independencia del Pueblo Filipino," following the claim of victory by the Filipino American troops against Spanish forces in the Battle of Manila on May 1898. On the same day, the Philippine flag was waived for the first time while the Marcha Nacional Filipina was played.

Amid discussions on potential aspirants for national positions come 2022, we are probably aware that the same names and surnames from the same political families have come out as the frontrunners. In the country's pursuit to recover post-pandemic, it is essential that we look beyond the current pool or bench of choices we have amongst the tried-and-tested personalities who have thrown their hat formally and informally in next year's polls. The next administration needs to be economically and socially innovative to fast track the country's moral, social, and economic recovery and rehabilitation.

Political parties in the Philippines do not just serve as mere vehicles for the political aspirations of influential/powerful individuals. They are legally organized syndicates formed by a few who agree to acquire legitimate political power in pursuit of their shared selfish interests.

Public confidence in COVID-19 vaccines continues be a serious concern in the Philippines, even as the daily number of infections continue to rise following a spike in late March 2021 due to the entry of more transmissible variants. Vaccine hesitancy can be attributed to several factors such as the relatively short clinical trial periods prior to vaccine rollout, varying vaccine efficacies of several brands and incidents where severe side effects (e.g., blood clotting) were experienced.

With many forced to stay at home, Facebook and various social media platforms have been the go-to pastime, hobby, or activity. Facebook, in particular, has become a hub where one can obtain news and information, catch up with family, friends and loved ones, and buy and sell goods and services among others.

Defunding the task force is a knee-jerk reaction to the red-tagging issue of community pantries. It defeats the purpose of the Bayanihan spirit being promoted by community pantries. Instead of sowing further divide, leaders of the Armed Forces should call out its own Gen. Parlade for his uncivilized remarks against Community Pantry Initiator Ana Patricia Non.

It's time to divide the house between optimists and negatives. What type do you want to be identified with? Your choice!

We need citizen engagement and private sector participation in the fight against COVID-19. This is a tried and tested formula in crisis situations.

The Philippines recently celebrated the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the country this year. Almost at the same time, the country experienced a sharp increase in infections and deaths due to relaxed policies and complacency.  

No pandemic can prevent Presidential and Vice-Presidential aspirants from expressing their interest to run for public office. However, the contributions and actions of these aspirants during this pandemic will weigh heavily on the public's perception whether they are worthy to be elected as the next leaders of our country.

We must all be honest enough to admit that the failures in our COVID-19 response and mitigation is a shared fault between government and the public. This does not mean, however, that both parties are not doing their part in the efforts to curb the spread of the virus. 

Putting the fate of policy development and implementation in the hands of untrained and incompetent people is a crime against nation-building.