The future with a lousy 1987 Constitution

How to Secure a Future with a Crumbling 1987 Constitution for the Philippines

The birth of the 1987 Constitution directly shows the passion of revolution and democracy emerging from the People Power Revolution. It was something like an infallible promise, the promise of liberty and governance anchored in justice and fairness. However, it has now betrayed cracks that do not allow the country to realize its growth. Understanding how to protect this country's future, yet operating within a constitution many believe is archaic, presents both a challenge and a necessity. 

Photo: Manila Bulletin

Acknowledgment of Constraints

First, it is pertinent to understand what makes the 1987 Constitution "broken" from several perspectives of people. Criticisms are aimed at rigid economic provisions, an overly centralized structure of government, and inability to stand changes surrounding the Philippines in the light of quick technological innovations and global economic shifts. Sometimes, these limitations constrain economic progress, hamper decentralization, and fail to address pressing issues of society.

Strategies to Protect the Future

1. Advocacy for Constitutional Reform

The constitutional revision or amendment process is the most direct mechanism for securing the country's future. Many dread the prospect of opening up the Constitution for revision as they fear this will lead to abuse, but a managed form of reforms geared toward key areas of economic liberalization and political structure may help break open growth potential together with a setting that fosters inclusivity.

2. Strengthening Democratic Institutions

This is done easily enough by strengthening the institutions tasked with ensuring democratic rule, even if it threatens to empower independent bodies such as COMELEC, CHR, and the judiciary to function both as checks against the constitutionally possible evil of abusing constitutionally provided gaps.

3. Civic Education and Participation

An enlightened citizenry is what should secure the future of the nation. Civil education and public awareness about the Constitution and its implications will build a more intense demand upon public authorities for meaningful reforms. If one knows what is at stake, then she or he is far better equipped to compel, or call to account, leaders to make changes that really benefit the common good.

4. Empowering Local Government Units (LGUs)

The 1987 Constitution can centralize much power at the national level, and LGUs can become very important in reaching the lower governance levels closer to community needs. In this scenario, empowerment of LGUs within this constitutional framework can serve as a model for participatory governance and localized solutions against issues that national policy could easily pass over.

5. Building a Culture of Accountability

The weaknesses of the current constitution must be improved. For such, an accountability and transparency culture should be established. This is implemented through the enforcement of extant laws against corruption. The freedom of information must strengthen, as well as protecting whistleblowers. With this step, the imperfect constitution still finds alignment with public interests.

6. Leadership and Vision

Leadership under the current constitutional regimes plays a crucial role in protecting the future. Accountable leaders with vision, operating within the boundaries of the broken system, can advocate for the much-needed change. This will further mean that elections favor the election of nationalists who respect democratic values, dialogue about constitutional amendment, and policies about issues both at the moment and long term ones.

7. Inclusive Dialogue

Engaging in an inclusive national conversation is one of the most pivotal steps toward a protected future. The reflections, probably one will hear are diverse voices that cut across different sectors: the youth, marginalized communities, leaders in business, and policymakers, which are more likely to highlight the diverse implications of constitutional limitations and suggest feasible futures of their review.

There is nothing to fear about reforms. Reforms should be some sign of a healthy democracy.

Conclusion

The 1987 Constitution was also a child of its time, born with the purpose of assuaging the nation's concern over the face of dictatorship. It has kept the country on its feet, but sadly, it is not fit to drive the nation forward to meet the needs of Filipinos in the present and future. Safeguarding the future of the Philippines requires a balance of constitutional literacy, civic engagement, strong democratic institutions, and responsible leadership offering change that matters. By acknowledging the limits and taking proactive measures in that direction, the nation can work towards a resilient, inclusive, and progressive future-even within the constraints of a "broken" Constitution. If the senate doesn't want to pass the RBH 6, the future generations of Filipinos to come will be hopeless and drug addicts, while the county's oligarchs and elites will continue to enjoy the broken system.

Self-maintenace

The Best Investment You Can Make Is in Yourself


Your phone battery? You charge it every night without fail.
Your car? Serviced every six months like clockwork.
Your appliances? Safely covered by a multi-year warranty.


But what about you?


Your skills—last updated when you graduated.
Your mindset—still running on the same limiting beliefs you had five years ago.
Your knowledge—stopped growing the day you started binge-watching Netflix.


We maintain everything we own… except ourselves.


Why We Upgrade Things but Not Ourselves


We’ll spend ₱50,000 on the latest phone without blinking. But we hesitate to spend ₱2,000 on a book or seminar that could protect our career and future.


We’ll happily pay ₱279 monthly for Netflix, but think ₱500 for an online course is “too expensive.”


We protect, maintain, and upgrade our gadgets and possessions, yet we let our most valuable asset—our mind—run on outdated software.


The Harsh Truth About Priorities


That shiny phone? It’ll be outdated in two years.
That trendy appliance? Eventually replaced.
But the knowledge, skills, and mindset you invest in? They’ll serve you for a lifetime, making you adaptable, competitive, and irreplaceable.


In a rapidly changing world, skills are the new currency. Technology evolves. Industries transform. The only way to stay relevant is to keep learning, adapting, and growing.




The ROI of Self-Investment


When you invest in yourself, the returns compound:


Skills make you more marketable and open new opportunities.


Mindset helps you face challenges without fear.


Knowledge gives you the power to make smarter decisions in career, finance, and life.




Every peso you spend on personal growth today saves you thousands—or even millions—tomorrow by increasing your earning potential, opening doors, and helping you avoid costly mistakes.


How to Start Investing in Yourself


1. Read daily – Even 15 minutes a day can transform your knowledge base.




2. Take online courses – Affordable, flexible, and skill-focused.




3. Attend seminars/workshops – Build skills and connections at the same time.




4. Upgrade your environment – Surround yourself with people who inspire and challenge you.




5. Invest in health – A sharp mind needs a healthy body to perform at its best.


The Bottom Line


We often treat our devices better than ourselves.
We protect them from viruses, update their software, and replace them when they slow down. But when was the last time you upgraded your own “operating system”?


Your mind is your most valuable tool. Your skills are your most important assets. Your mindset is your ultimate power source.


Invest in them relentlessly—because unlike gadgets, you can’t just buy a newer version of yourself.


The best investment you can ever make… is in you.

Let it go

Maturity Is Letting Go Without a Scene

"Maturity is when you stop asking yourself why someone isn't calling or texting anymore. You just realize the change, and you accept it, no drama, no fights. You just walk away smiling."

It's easy to say, too easy in fact—but believe me, in truth this is one of the toughest things in life. 

We are raised believing when something doesn't feel right in a relationship—whether romantic, friendly, or even professional—there is something we must do to fix it, ask questions, or fight to get answers. Although communication is key, maturity schools us in something more profound: the silence is sometimes the answer. 

Google Photo

Not Every Ending Requires a Fight

When someone stops initiating contact, our natural reaction is usually to wonder:

• Did I do something bad?
• Are they angry with me?
• Why won't they just say it?

And yet, in most situations, their reasons have nothing to do with us. Life gets busy, priorities change, feelings dwindle, and some relationships simply run their course. Pursuing explanations can sometimes cause more suffering than solace.

Acceptance Over Resistance

Maturity is knowing when to stop fighting for a spot in someone's life when they no longer make room for you. It's understanding that:

• You can't command attention at the cost of dignity.
• Others tell you where you're at in their world by how they treat you.
• Your energy is better spent on those who decide to keep you around.

Exiting with grace doesn't mean you don't care—mean you care enough about yourself not to beg for attention or presence.

No Drama, No Fights—Just Peace

By selecting acceptance over confrontation, you spare yourself unnecessary emotional exhaustion. You are spared the vicious cycle of blame, guilt trips, and apologies that seldom alter the result.

Instead, you opt for peace. You see the transformation, you adapt your expectations, and you move on without bitterness. You wish them well in your heart—though you never dare say so out loud.

The Smile That Means Freedom

That grin you flash when you walk away isn't artificial—it's a badge of freedom. It declares:

• I respect myself enough to release what no longer respects me.
• I don't require closure from you to end this book in my life.
• I am capable of moving on without bitterness.

In a world where bridges are burned with elaborate farewells, steadily walking away is a badge of real strength.

Ultimately, maturity is a matter of selecting dignity over desperation, peace over chaos, and self-respect over coercive attachments. You don't shut the door—you just cease banging on it. And that's the type of development that leaves you grinning.

State of Philippine telcos

Breaking the Barriers: Why the Philippines Needs to Support Telco Upgrades Now

Inadequate internet connectivity in the Philippines is a three-decade-old issue, and although we tend to blame telco corporations, the situation is more complex. Connectivity doesn't just "fall from the sky." It's constructed—cable by cable, tower by tower—by private entities who require access to communities in order to upkeep and upgrade their networks.

Wikipedia image

Last week, Globe Telecom made a rare public comment revealing a concealed barrier to quality internet service: unreasonable charges, excessive fees, and downright refusal from some homeowners' associations (HOAs) that are stalling critical infrastructure work.

The Hidden Roadblocks

Some gated residential villages, reports Globe, have pushed the concept of access control to an extreme:

• ₱100,000 "access fee" in one village—without even stating for how long it's effective.
• ₱5,000 daily fee imposed in another, irrespective of work type.
• Other HOAs prohibit the extension of fiber facilities outright, giving residents no upgrade choices.

These obstructions don't only hold up expansion—they block emergency maintenance and repair work. The consequence? Residents, usually at premium rates, are left with shaky connections or total service loss.

The Legal Side: HOAs Cannot Block Utility Access

This is not merely an issue of inconvenience, but also a breach of entrenched laws and policies.

Republic Act 9904 (Magna Carta for Homeowners and Homeowners' Associations) explicitly forbids the prevention of utility service providers from installing, maintaining, or disconnecting services under a ratified contract.

Department Order No. 2022-012 (DHSUD) specifically states that the permission of HOAs is not necessary for the laying of cables on existing poles, underground ducts, or other established telco infrastructure.

In other words: telcos have the right to enter these communities for legitimate service works, and HOAs have no legal grounds to block them.

Why This Matters to All Filipinos

Regardless of whether you're in a gated village or a small barangay, the effects of these blockades propagate throughout the entire network:

1. Slower upgrades – Blocking growth means delayed rollouts of fiber, 5G, and other next-gen technologies.
2. Postponed repairs – Longer closures equal more outages for residents.
3. Slowed economic development – Stable internet is essential for remote work, online learning, e-commerce, and tourism. Without it, they get left behind.
4. International competitiveness – The country is already low on international internet speed rankings. Having more artificial obstacles only makes us worse.

Why Telco Upgrades Are Non-Negotiable

Digital connectivity is no longer a luxury—it's a minimum requirement for:

• Students who take online classes
• Employees who work in work-from-home arrangements
• Businesses which operate e-commerce platforms
• Government services that depend on online platforms

Unless we keep upgrading our networks, we risk losing further ground to our ASEAN neighbors as they leapfrog towards smart cities, AI-facilitated logistics, and super-fast internet infrastructure.

What Needs to Change?

1. Increased LGU Intervention – Local governments need to ensure HOAs are conforming to national regulations.
2. Public Awareness – People should realize that improved connectivity directly benefits them.
3. Strict Penalties – Fines for HOAs stopping legal infrastructure work could discourage misuse.
4. Faster Permitting Processes – Even outside gated communities, bureaucracy by the government is holding back telco projects.

Final Thoughts

The struggle to have faster, more stable internet in the Philippines is not all about the tech—it's about breaking down human barriers. Globe's findings indicate that at times the greatest barriers are not the wires, towers, or expense, but the ones we build ourselves.

If we really want to fill in the digital divide, HOAs and local government must cease acting as gatekeepers and begin as partners in progress. The legislation is already in place—it's time to implement them and get each Filipino online.

So the next time you experience slow internet, lagging connection, you should know who's to blame first.