On the Record is an expository opinion column by Richard EM Rivera that examines politics, economics, and public life through documents, data, and verifiable records. The column focuses on how power and money operate—how policies are made, how decisions are justified, and how their consequences are felt by ordinary people.
Grounded in public records and evidence, On the Record looks beyond headlines and personalities to explain systems, incentives, and outcomes. It covers abuses by economic and political elites, governance failures, market distortions, and structural inequities, while also unpacking what economic developments actually mean for households, workers, and communities.
This column values clarity over outrage, explanation over speculation, and accountability over spectacle. It aims to read what is already on file, trace what can be verified, and explain what it means—carefully, fairly, and in full view of the public.