Ordinary Filipinos often bear the cost of prolonged political conflict. When leaders focus on political survival rather than economic management, reforms slow and policy execution weakens. Programs meant to protect vulnerable sectors, from fuel subsidies to social assistance, can become entangled in partisan disputes.

Given the limited capabilities of the Iranians, the threat to Filipino workers in the Middle East is not as serious as painted by journalists engaged in sensationalist reporting and commentary… The real threat to the Philippines is the economic fall out of the war especially in oil supplies. That will affect every single Filipino as prices will inevitably increase causing more hardship to a nation that is still recovering from the COVID pandemic’s disastrous effects on the economy.

The second thing I remember was of Panelo dozing off during the hearings. He was seated next to the aging and infirm Salvador Medialdea who was on his right. Panelo's head was tilted to the left, almost touching the seat on his left. ICC is keen on preventing any disturbance in the public gallery. Within clear sight of us, an ICC security personnel approached the dozing Panelo to wake him up from dreamland.