Dear Editor,

What if a mining firm executive heads the agency protecting our forests, or a pharma owner leads a health institute? It sends a loud and clear signal that corporate interests shape the national narrative. That's how alarming it is that a longtime tobacco company executive might soon lead the government's communications office.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla, in an article posted on Business Mirror on June 20, admitted that tourists avoid the Philippines because they "don’t feel safe." It’s disturbing. Instead of calming fears, he poured gasoline on the fire.

Remulla’s statement was a slip and a full-blown faceplant. Would anyone still eat in a restaurant if a manager told customers that the food served gives them food poisoning? Of course not.

On her 47th birthday celebration, Vice-President Inday Sara Duterte finds herself at the crossroads of destiny.

The undisputed front-runner in the 2028 presidential elections, VP Inday marks the occasion outside the International Criminal Court (ICC) detention facility in Scheveningen where her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte is being held while awaiting trial.

Just when people were starting to ask what’s going to happen next, Vice President Inday Sara Duterte lands a powerful haymaker to the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

By now, photos of the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte with Sen. Imee Marcos and Rep. Camille Villar have gone viral on social media to partly answer the question.

It is more than a PR stunt. It is a public confirmation of a crack that spells big trouble more for BBM’s administration ticket more than the underdog DuterTen. From here on, there will be no 12-0 sweep to speak of.