We can choose to watch and listen or participate in intelligent debates – over our fate.

As we grapple to survive each day, political issues keep popping up before our very eyes and noses.

What’s intriguing about Pinoys is that we live on economics but breathe politics.

The economy will grow this year by 6.3 percent to 5.7 percent, reports National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Augusto Santos. But PCCI says it will only modestly grow by four to 4.5 percent.

Both forecasts are positive but let’s see who’ll prove to be more accurate.

President GMA has ordered the Budget Department to release more funds, R500 million for rice and noodles and another R500 million for Philhealth premiums, under her revitalized pro-poor program.

Translation: Be happy, forget austerity!

After the announced release by Malacañang of R35 billion for economic pump-priming, Senate Minority Leader Sen. Nene Pimentel expresses cynicism over the availability of such huge fund.

The pro-poor program is a major challenge but ensuring availability of funds could be a bigger problem.

Senator Nene says that the Palace could be giving "false hopes."

Maybe his staff did not tell him that the First Gentleman donated earlier "false teeth" under Balikngiti at Pustiso sa dating Nge-bu.

There is no surveillance on former President FVR after his "secret meting" with opposition stalwarts, assures PNP Chief Art Lomibao.

On the contrary, it’s Citizen Eddie who is conducting surveillance on the government?

Former Sen. Tito Sotto says that the Palace is in "panic mode" and is throwing mud at the opposition after the recent FVR-Drilon-Sotto meeting.

No, Palace boys are just fuming mad and asking, Look who’s choking?

FVR camp says nothing was discussed at length as the meeting drifted from politics, the economy, and even the Pacquiao-Morales fight.

See, nothing alarming. It was just about…. political boxing.

Amid the brewing political, economic, and related controversies, PGMA will convene the Council of State on Jan. 24 hopefully with former Presidents FVR, Tita Cory, and other members and guests.

Let this be a good political exercise. And let wisdom flow and fill the Palace.

Archbishop Oscar Cruz revealed that both legal and illegal gambling are getting more active again in many parts of the country.

His lament: Gambling operators are big winners while poor bettors are sure losers.

The country has become dangerous for journalists, says Reporters sans Frontieres which confirmed seven killings last year. Judges, too, adds the PNP, which reported 10 killings last year.

Save the journalists and judges – who are fast becoming endangered species!

Meanwhile the National Press Club has sounded the alarm against possible restrictions on press freedom under the proposed Con-Com amendments.

No prior restriction, please! Otherwise Philippine democracy would get sick.

Happy Watching or Debating!