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Tuesday, September 30, 2025

A Nation’s Boiling Point: An Open Letter that Shakes the Corridors of Power


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The ink has not yet dried, but the rage embedded in every line of an open letter now circulating among Ateneo communities is already shaking the conscience of many who have read it. Addressed to the President and members of the Senate and House of Representatives, the letter is not polished in diplomatic pleasantries. Instead, it is raw, sharp, and unrelenting — a mirror of the fury simmering in the hearts of countless Filipinos.


“Enough of the polite lies,” it begins, abandoning all pretense of civility. What follows is not a polite petition nor a courteous reminder. It is a manifesto of disgust, an indictment of leaders accused of mistaking their sworn duty for entitlement, their public office for personal wealth, and the patience of the Filipino people for ignorance.


A Mirror to Corruption

The letter spares no institution and no office. It accuses the nation’s top officials of wallowing in endless hearings, crafting speeches “bloated with hot air,” and feeding a machinery of corruption that has turned government into a “personal ATM.” Ghost projects, bloated budgets, and cronies — familiar words, yet this time they are written with a venom sharpened by the daily realities of the masses.


Floods continue to ravage communities, hospitals remain starved of supplies, classrooms crumble, farmers sink deeper into debt, and workers suffocate under rising prices. Yet, the open letter notes bitterly, the political elite bickers over pork, contracts, and positions — riding motorcades of black SUVs while millions of Filipinos squeeze into broken-down trains and overcrowded jeeps.


“Every peso stolen is food stolen from the mouths of children,” the authors declare — a line that sears itself into memory.


Lessons from the World

Perhaps the most alarming part of the letter is not the indictment of corruption, but the warning drawn from recent history. The authors point to Nepal and Indonesia — nations that once believed their rulers were untouchable, only to see their palaces shaken by the fists of their own people.


They remind Philippine leaders that revolutions do not erupt in a vacuum. Rage, once ignored, transforms into upheaval. Patience, once abused, breeds revolt. “You are sitting on a volcano,” the letter warns, every peso stolen and every day delayed feeding the fire beneath their thrones.


The message is clear: Filipino patience should never be mistaken for weakness.


Prophecy or Threat?

The letter does not mince words: this is no polite appeal but a prophecy — one written “in the streets of Kathmandu, shouted in the protests of Jakarta, and whispered in every angry Filipino heart.”


Mr. President, Senators, Representatives — the words echo like a drumbeat of forewarning: Restore decency. Protect the treasury. Legislate for the people. Or be swept aside by history’s tide.


Why This Matters

What makes this open letter striking is not just its tone of defiance, but its resonance. It crystallizes what many Filipinos mutter in frustration but seldom declare with such unfiltered candor: that their leaders have long ceased to embody public service, becoming instead the very caricature of corruption.


The letter’s circulation among students and alumni of one of the country’s most prestigious universities is a reminder that outrage is not confined to the hungry, the jobless, or the powerless. It is rising, even in circles once dismissed as too detached, too comfortable to care.


And if history has taught us anything, it is this: when the voices of the disillusioned elite begin to align with the cries of the struggling masses, the ground beneath the ruling class starts to tremble.


A Nation on Edge

The question now is whether this letter will remain a piece of viral literature or serve as a spark that ignites broader collective action. For the government, dismissing it as mere noise would be a grave mistake.


Because between the lines of this letter is not just anger — it is a call. A call for accountability, for urgency, for governance that finally honors its oath. A call that, if ignored, may one day evolve into the very prophecy it warns of.


The message to those in power is simple yet seismic: The Filipino people may be patient, but they are not blind. They may be forgiving, but they are not fools. They may be silent now, but silence can turn into a roar that no convoy, no palace walls, and no titles can shield against.


The choice, then, lies in the hands of those who sit in gilded chambers today: heed the warning, or prepare to fall with the empire of corruption you have built.

PHLPost and AIM Forge Alliance for Leadership Development, Innovation, and Service Excellence


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In a landmark move to redefine the future of public service, the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) has joined forces with the prestigious Asian Institute of Management (AIM) to strengthen leadership, foster innovation, and accelerate organizational growth within the state-run postal agency.


The partnership was sealed with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Makati City, marking a pivotal chapter in PHLPost’s modernization agenda. Present at the ceremony were leaders from both institutions, united by a shared vision of building a future-ready postal service that goes beyond mail delivery and becomes a driving force for connectivity, commerce, and nation-building.


Postmaster General and CEO Maximo C. Sta. Maria III, himself an AIM alumnus, underscored the gravity of the collaboration.


“For many years, PHLPost has connected families, supported trade, and served communities nationwide. As the world evolves, so must we,” Sta. Maria declared. “This partnership with AIM is an investment in our people—helping us deliver reliable services, adopt best practices, and transform PHLPost into a future-ready institution.”


At the heart of this alliance is the commitment to equip PHLPost’s managers and executives with cutting-edge knowledge and skills. The collaboration kicks off with a Supply Chain Management Program, a training designed to strengthen competencies in planning, sourcing, inventory management, logistics, and risk management. These tools are vital as the postal service navigates the shifting demands of digitalization, e-commerce, and globalized trade.


Joan Vidal, AIM Business Development Senior Manager, emphasized that the program was specifically designed to match PHLPost’s evolving needs.


“We tailored this program to ensure that it not only addresses the current challenges of the postal sector but also prepares its leaders for the fast-paced realities of the future,” Vidal explained.


Jose Raphael Ibarra, Program Head of AIM’s School of Executive Education and Lifelong Learning, echoed this sentiment, noting the far-reaching implications of the partnership.


“We are proud to partner with PHLPost in this journey of modernization. Together, we can empower leaders, strengthen institutions, and create lasting impact through innovation, collaboration, and a shared vision for national development,” Ibarra said.


This collaboration goes beyond training—it is a deliberate step in PHLPost’s modernization blueprint. The agency has already embarked on digital transformation initiatives, streamlined delivery systems, and expanded employee engagement programs. Now, by investing in leadership development, PHLPost is ensuring that its human capital is as future-ready as its technology.


From being a traditional mail carrier to a key enabler of digital commerce, PHLPost envisions itself as an institution that keeps pace with a rapidly changing society. Its partnership with AIM signals not just an upgrade in operational efficiency but a cultural shift toward innovation and service excellence.


Ultimately, this initiative cements PHLPost’s mission: to remain a vital bridge connecting Filipinos—whether through letters that span generations, packages that fuel businesses, or services that strengthen communities. With AIM as its partner in leadership and transformation, PHLPost is not only keeping up with the times—it is preparing to lead them.

Assessment results from the Early Language, Literacy, and Numeracy Assessment, the National Achievement Test for Grade 6, and the Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment


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Enrollment numbers and school population data.


Access to utilities and facilities, including electricity, water, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) systems.


School inventories and utilization of the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE).


Ratios of teachers, classrooms, and learners—metrics that will reveal the gaps as well as the progress of schools across the country.


The initial rollout this September begins with Regions I, III, VIII, IX, and CAR at the school level, with other regions publishing both school and division data.


Shared Responsibility, Shared Future

Angara emphasized that transparency alone is not enough. Project Bukas, he said, must be a collaborative journey:

“Pero hindi ito kakayanin ng DepEd lamang. Kailangan natin ang LGUs, NGOs, private sector, at lahat ng partners upang mas mapabuti ang mga programa para sa ating mga bata. Sana sama-sama tayo rito.”


This call for unity underscores DepEd’s aim to strengthen flagship programs such as:


The National Learning Recovery Program (ARAL)


The School-Based Feeding Program


The Adopt-A-School Program


By sharing data openly, DepEd hopes to ensure that these programs do not merely exist on paper but create measurable impact in classrooms and communities.


Backed by Historic Investments

The promise of Project Bukas is reinforced by unprecedented resources. Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, who joined the launch, highlighted that DepEd and its attached agencies have been allocated a staggering ₱928.5 billion for Fiscal Year 2026—an amount that could represent 4.1 percent of the country’s GDP, pending congressional approval.


For Pangandaman, Project Bukas is not just about opening records but also about redefining governance:

“Our gathering today symbolizes that we are moving forward with a renewed and even stronger determination towards a Bagong Pilipinas that is accountable, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of Filipinos. Maging bukas tayo para sa kinabukasan ng ating kabataan dahil bawat bukas ay mahalaga.”


Beyond Numbers: A Cultural Shift

More than a tool, Project Bukas is envisioned to create a culture of shared responsibility in education—where national government, local communities, and development partners collectively ensure that no child is left behind.


By placing data in the hands of the public, the initiative empowers citizens to monitor, question, and collaborate. It removes the walls of bureaucracy and invites every Filipino to take part in shaping a more effective, equitable, and transparent education system.


Towards a Brighter Tomorrow

The launch of Project Bukas is not just another program; it is a turning point. For the first time, parents can track how schools are performing, communities can see where resources flow, and citizens can hold leaders accountable for promises made.


As the applause echoed inside Parañaque High School, the message was clear: transparency is not an option—it is the foundation of progress. In the words of Secretary Angara, Project Bukas is the people’s chance to see and shape the education system as never before.


Because in the end, every peso spent, every classroom built, every teacher hired, and every child taught belongs not only to DepEd—it belongs to the nation.


And with Project Bukas, the nation can finally keep its eyes wide open.

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