When floods hit, so does public anger. And almost inevitably, flood control projects take the blame: overpriced, poorly built, endlessly funded, and seemingly designed to fail. The outrage is understandable. But singling out flood control as the corruption-prone sector misses…
‘Rise Above the Noise’: PMA Ritual Teaches Plebes the Meaning of Endurance Amid National Turmoil
MANILA — Every year, under the sharp mountain air of Fort del Pilar, a familiar scene plays out on the Philippine Military Academy’s Borromeo Field. Freshmen cadets—known as plebes—stand ramrod straight, their faces fixed with determination, as upperclassmen order them…
BARMM leaders sign manifesto backing Marcos amid corruption allegations
COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Nov. 22, 2025) — The chief minister of the Bangsamoro region and five provincial governors signed a manifesto Wednesday expressing support for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. amid what they described as unfounded corruption controversies surrounding his…
OPINION: A GOVERNMENT IN CONSTANT MOTION — OR CONSTANT UNCERTAINTY?
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s lighthearted remark at the 2025 Bagong Bayani Awards — joking that his wife, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, might soon join the Cabinet — would have been harmless banter in another time. But in a government…
Analysis: Why Billions in Flood Control Projects Still Leave Us ‘Flooded to the Max’
Every time floodwaters rise, so does public anger. Social media fills with a familiar lament: “Multi-billion pesos in flood control projects, yet we’re still flooded to the max!” The frustration is justified—but the equation doesn’t quite add up as people…
Opinion: The Flood Control Scandal Should Spark Procurement Reform Across Government
The ongoing investigation into the alleged anomalies in the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) flood control projects should not end with identifying who pocketed public funds or who signed off on questionable contracts. The scandal must serve as…
Blockchain is not the enemy – governance is
The government’s sudden love affair with blockchain has sparked both optimism and skepticism. Senator Bam Aquino filed Senate Bill 1330, “An Act Mandating The Establishment And Implementation Of A National Budget Blockchain System To Enhance Transparency, Accountability, And Public Participation…
OPINION | Marcos’ flood control probe: Will blood prove thicker than water?
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants us to believe that the newly formed Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) will be different. He swears it will be politics-free, untouchable, and willing to “spare no one” – not even his cousin, former House…
Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III elected new House Speaker, succeeds Martin Romualdez
MANILA, Philippines — It’s official: the House of Representatives has a new leader. Rep. Faustino “Bojie” Dy III of Isabela’s 6th District on Wednesday, September 17, was elected Speaker of the 20th Congress with an overwhelming 253 votes — a…
Sotto replaces Escudero as Senate president: What does this shake-up mean?
MANILA, Philippines – Senate Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III has been elected Senate president, unseating Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero after barely a year at the helm. The coup, confirmed by a reliable source in the Senate, was fueled by…
