Author: Ismael Amigo

The growing controversy over government flood-control projects has created a dangerous impression: that perhaps the Philippines would be better off without flood-control spending altogether. That would be the wrong conclusion. What needs to be stopped is not flood-control infrastructure. What needs to be stopped is the failure to follow the rules governing how these projects are planned, funded, constructed, inspected, and paid for. House Deputy Speaker Janette Garin is right to call for the restoration of legitimate flood-control and shoreline-protection projects in the proposed 2027 national budget—but under a much tougher system of validation, monitoring, and accountability. Communities that regularly…

STO TOMAS City, Batangas — When a soldier, police officer, or firefighter leaves home each day, their families understand a difficult truth: there is always a risk that their loved one might not return.  The sacrifices of military and uniformed personnel are often measured not only in hours of service, but sometimes in lives lost. Behind their uniforms are mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters — families that quietly carry the weight of uncertainty. Recognizing these realities, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has filed Senate Bill No. 684, or the proposed “Scholarship for Children of Fallen MUP Act of 2025.” If passed…

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is drawing fire from legal advocates and commuters’ rights groups over its proposed “shame campaign” against traffic violators—a plan critics warn could trample due process, violate privacy laws, and open the government to lawsuits. At the center of the controversy is a directive from DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon for the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to study the feasibility of publishing the names of repeat or grave traffic violators as a deterrent. The proposal, while pitched as a bold move to discipline erring motorists, is now under heavy scrutiny. Lawyers Push Back Hard The Lawyers for…

MANILA — Alexandra Eala produced a jaw-dropping late comeback to carve her name in tennis history at the US Open on Monday, August 25 (Philippine time), as the 20-year-old Filipina stunned the tennis world by becoming the first Filipino player to win a Grand Slam singles match, toppling 14th seed Clara Tauson of Denmark in the opening round. Eala, who hails from Quezon City, looked on the brink of defeat after falling behind 1–5 in the deciding set. But she fought back with grit and composure, eventually forcing a nail-biting tiebreak before sealing a 6–3, 2–6, 7–6 (13/11) triumph in…

By El Amigo MANILA – Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, who convincingly trounced the Discaya clan in the last elections, may have overstepped when he took a swipe at journalists allegedly receiving money from the couple. What began as a political jab has now brewed into a storm, drawing pushback from respected names in mainstream media. The controversy first erupted after reports circulated that two companies linked to the Discayas allegedly figured in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s list of the top 15 contractors flagged in corruption-ridden flood control projects. While Malacañang has not released full details, the issue quickly thrust…

By El Amigo (The Friend) STO TOMAS City, Batangas — Every rainy season, Filipinos brace themselves for familiar scenes: highways submerged, families stranded on rooftops, schools converted into evacuation centers.  Indeed, flooding has become a way of life in the Philippines—a tragic normal that successive administrations have promised to solve. Year after year, we hear about mega-billion-peso flood control projects. Massive contracts are awarded for pumping stations, dikes, river walls, and road elevation schemes, revetments, etc. Yet, despite these shiny new infrastructures, one heavy downpour is enough to expose the cracks—both literal and figurative—in our approach to flood mitigation. The…

Throughout history, old metaphors resurface when the times call for them. One that has returned in today’s politics is the “Manchurian Candidate”—a phrase that now echoes in our own national conversations. The term comes from Richard Condon’s Cold War novel and its film versions. In the story, an American soldier is captured, brainwashed, and turned into an unwilling tool of foreign agents. Though fictional, it gave rise to the lasting metaphor of a leader secretly controlled by hidden forces. Over the years, “Manchurian Candidate” has come to mean any leader whose loyalty is in question. It no longer refers only…

In politics, memory is short, attention spans are shorter, and public opinion is as fickle as the next trending headline. That is why public relations, often derided as mere spin, is actually the lifeblood of survival in public service. And when it comes to sustained PR work, Senator Bong Go has turned it into both shield and sword. Think about it: Go has been in the national spotlight for years, and not necessarily because of fiery privilege speeches or sensational exposés. His strength lies elsewhere—visibility, accessibility, and a relentless repetition of one simple message: “Nandito ako para tumulong.” That mantra,…