A public interest and human rights lawyer has called attention to the statement of Sen. Panfilo Lacson that the flood control scam had no mastermind.

Lacson headed the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that investigated various anomalous flood control projects. He had submitted a partial report.

Lawyer Antonio Zoleta Bucoy cited the senator’s finding to dispute Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remullla’s assertion that Leyte 1st District Representative and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez masterminded the flood control scam.

Romualdez has been invited to the resumption of the flood control investigation of the Senate under the leadership of Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano before a new majority took over the chamber on Wednesday.

Asked about that scheduled probe in a radio interview, Bucoy said it was a diversionary move.

“Ang reaksyon ko ho diyan, nililihis ho nila yung imbestigasyon. Nagkaroon na, kung inyong maalala, nagkaroon na ng partial report yung Blue Ribbon Committee na dating pinangumunahan ni Sen. Lacson,” he said.

He said Lacson categorically declared that the flood control scam had no mastermind.

“At sinabi doon ni Sen. Lacson, nabanggit ni Sen. Lacson sa ilang interview niya, sa ilang panayam niya sa media na walang mastermind na maituturing itong flood control,” he said.

He added that a Blue Ribbon subcommittee chaired by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta under the Cayetano-led Senate tried to invite Romualdez to its hearing.

“Kung maaalala ninyo iginigiit nila Marcoleta, imbitahin yan, si dating Speaker Romualdez, yan ang mastermind. Pero hindi nila sinasabi kung bakit naging mastermind yan,” he stressed.

"Yan ba dahil lamang sa kanyang dating posisyon bilang Speaker of the House?” Bucoy asked.

In an earlier radio interview, the public interest lawyer criticized Remulla for prejudging Romualdez on the flood control projects controversy without the benefit of a preliminary investigation and without showing any piece of evidence.

“Iisa ho ang nagpapalutang dyan eh, si Ombudsman Remulla na mula't sapul ay binansagan na niya si Speaker Romualdez na mastermind,” he said.

He said there is no basis for the Ombudsman’s allegation and the Ombudsman’s office has not conducted a preliminary investigation.

“Ang tanong ho, ano ang kanyang batayan, okay? Pangalawa, nagkaroon na ba ng preliminary investigation? Dahil ho wala hong lumalabas na mga balita na nagkaroon na ng preliminary investigation,” he said.

He added that Remulla’s statement should have been based on his evaluation of a complaint and the answer of the accused.

“Babansagan mo ang isang tao na mastermind kung iyo nang nabalangkas at nasuri mo na yung magkabilang panig, yung reklamo pati yung kasagutan,” he stressed.

 

If there is one thing that stands out about Mark Lapid, it's his ability to move comfortably between two very different worlds.

One day, he's attending meetings, discussing tourism projects, and handling government responsibilities. Another day, he's on a television set memorizing lines and bringing a character to life.

For many people, those careers would seem impossible to combine. But for Lapid, both have become part of who he is.

What's interesting is that he never appears to treat one role as more important than the other. Instead, he approaches both with the same level of commitment.

That mindset may explain why he has remained relevant in both public service and entertainment over the years.

More Than Just a Familiar Last Name

Being the son of actor and senator Lito Lapid comes with advantages, but it also comes with expectations.

People naturally compare you to your parents. They expect you to follow the same path or achieve the same level of success.

For Mark Lapid, the challenge was creating his own identity while carrying a well-known family name.

And he did exactly that.

Instead of relying solely on his family's reputation, he built his own career through public service, tourism development, and entertainment.

His election as governor of Pampanga at the age of 24 immediately put him in the national spotlight. At an age when many people are still figuring out their careers, he was already leading one of the country's most progressive provinces.

That's a level of responsibility that would pressure even seasoned politicians.

Yet Lapid embraced the challenge. 

During his term, Pampanga continued to grow through infrastructure projects and development initiatives that helped strengthen the province's economy.

It was one of the first signs that he wasn't simply following in anyone's footsteps—he was creating his own.

Helping Showcase the Philippines

After serving as governor, Lapid could have easily stayed in politics.

Instead, he found another way to serve the country.

His work in tourism allowed him to help promote destinations, improve facilities, and support projects that contribute to local economies.

As an official of TIEZA, he became part of efforts aimed at making travel experiences better for both local and foreign tourists.

It's the kind of work that often happens behind the scenes.

Tourists usually notice beautiful destinations, clean facilities, and improved attractions. What they don't always see are the people working to make those improvements happen.

Lapid became one of those people.

While the work may not always grab headlines, its impact can be seen in communities that benefit from tourism-related development and investment.

The Actor Who Never Left the Industry

At the same time, Lapid never completely turned his back on acting.

Show business remained part of his life even as his government responsibilities grew.

He appeared in films and television projects, proving that he could still connect with audiences beyond politics and public service.

What makes this balancing act even more impressive is the discipline it requires.

Government work doesn't stop when a television shoot begins. Likewise, acting doesn't become easier because someone holds a government position.

Both careers demand time, preparation, and focus.

Lapid has often shared that balancing these responsibilities comes down to setting priorities and making the most of every available hour.

It's a lesson that resonates with many working Filipinos who are also trying to juggle careers, family obligations, and personal goals.

Success Beyond Titles

Ask most people how they define success, and you'll probably get different answers.

Some measure it through career achievements. Others look at family, financial stability, or personal fulfillment.

For Mark Lapid, success seems to come from being able to fulfill multiple responsibilities without losing sight of what matters most.

Yes, he has served as governor.

Yes, he has worked in tourism and government.

Yes, he has built a career in entertainment.

But beyond those accomplishments is a person trying to make every role count.

Whether he's helping develop tourism projects, stepping into character for a television scene, or spending time with his family after a long day, the goal remains the same: to give his best wherever he's needed.

Wearing Every Hat with Purpose

Many people spend their lives searching for one calling.

Mark Lapid found himself answering several.

Public servant. Actor. Husband. Father. Son.

Each role comes with its own challenges, expectations, and sacrifices.

Yet looking at his journey, it's clear that he doesn't see those roles as competing priorities. Instead, they are different parts of the same story.

And perhaps that's what makes his journey worth telling.

It's not simply the story of a politician who became an actor, or an actor who entered government.

It's the story of someone who continues to embrace every responsibility that comes his way, proving that success isn't always about choosing one path.

Sometimes, it's about learning how to walk several paths at the same time.

 

The first 100 days of President BongBong Marcos' administration seem packed with issues, drama, and politicking. One problem after another, and what's more interesting with our story is that these individuals

A Government Official is alleged to have employed two big personalities from the field of business and politics, unfortunately, they are not for the good of the government but the allegedly "kickback" from the project of the government.

According to our whisperer, the two individual is tasked with a different obligation. The first one is the Collector, he is tasked with negotiating for the money to be collected for the so-called "Boss." He ensures that the collected money will be delivered on time.

While the other one is called the Depositor. He is the one who makes the deposits to the bank account of the high-ranking official.

The alleged transactions, negotiations, and exchange of messages are believed to have happened during June and July this year. There were different conversations about the multi-million transaction or "subi" (cut collection) from a project that is supposed for the poor.

Here's the allege sample of the text messages of the collector, “ Request for P100M para inclusive ang mga cabinets, tables and chairs” at “Sa Friday may check release na si (taga-SUBI) .. pls make sure nalagyan ng P100M ni Boss yung account nya Ty.” This message is allegedly one of the exchanges of messages last June 7, a few weeks before former President Rodrigo Duterte steps down as President.

So, the so-called Collector and Deposit of this Government official a.k.a. "Mr. Silidonyo" is no ordinary individual. It's a tandem of a lawmaker and a businessman.

Allegedly, Collector's image is already badly tainted because of its involvement in different scandals in the government which is why this personality is so "sip-sip" to the present administration to get away from the cases and accusations.

According to our whisperer, the amount collected by the so-called Collector is Php100 million, which is only for the Government Official aka Mr. Silidonyo. It seems that Php100 million is the "trend" in this present administration. 

The so-called Depositor of the collection made by the Collector is allegedly involved in a quarrel between a political family in one of the known cities in the National Capital Region.

The so-called Collector is a lady solon from one of the provinces in the country and the so-called depositor is known for his side jobs or "raket" just like his initial.

But the main blind item is the alleged Government official. Whoever he is, clues can tell.

It was reported that this Government official is being investigated for so many bank accounts under his name, not only in the Philippines but also abroad, and it is considered by the Anti Money Laundering Council.

So, who do you think is this Mr. Silidonyo that comes with a collector and a depositor of the million pesos?

 

The Executive Secretary position or what many often call the "Little President" is considered one of the most powerful positions after the President. Right now, certain people are asking or rather questioning the appointment of the current Executive Secretary. So, why is it being questioned?

Well, here are some of the information about the powers of the so-called "Little President."

1. Implementing presidential directives, orders and decisions;
2. Supervise various agencies under the Office of the President, and appoint officials whose appointments do not need the President’s approval.
3. The Executive Secretary also has the power to sign papers such as executive orders “by authority of the President.”
4. And decide on matters for and on behalf of the President if they don’t require the Chief Executive’s personal attention.

In the entirety of our Philippine Government History, the post of Executive Secretary has been held by distinguished men since it was created in 1936. Lawyer Jorge Vargas, the first Executive Secretary, was appointed by President Manuel Quezon after serving as chief clerk of the Department of Interior and legislative secretary to then-Speaker Sergio Osmeña.

Manuel Roxas, the fifth President of the Philippines, also served as Quezon’s Executive Secretary from December 1941 until March 1942, just a month before he was captured by Japanese forces.

As what most expert says, eExperience is a major consideration in appointing the “Little President.” The Executive Secretary needs to hit the ground running, with barely any time to learn how to navigate the labyrinthine maze of the bureaucracy. Owing to the demands of the job, past Presidents picked Executive Secretaries who had proved their mettle through the posts they’ve held over the years.

ErnestO Maceda, a cum laude graduate of the Ateneo Law School, served as councilor of Manila—and was named Outstanding Councilor— before becoming the youngest Cabinet member of then-President E. Marcos as Secretary of Community Development at 29 years old. He served as Marcos’ Executive Secretary in a concurrent capacity as Chairman of the Commission on Reorganization from July 1969 to February 1970.

Joker Arroyo held the record as the human rights lawyer who handled the most number of cases between 1972 and 1986 before becoming then-President Corazon Aquino’s first Executive Secretary in 1986. Franklin Drilon served as Labor Secretary for three years and Justice Secretary for one year before his appointment as Aquino’s Executive Secretary in 1991.

Teofisto Guingona, who went on to become Vice President under the Arroyo administration, served as senator for six years before his appointment as Executive Secretary. He also chaired the Commission on Audit from 1986 to 1987. Ronaldo Zamora worked under the Marcos and Aquino administrations prior to becoming President Joseph Estrada’s first Executive Secretary from 1998 to 2000.


  The longest serving Executive Secretaries were appointed in the past three administrations: Eduardo Ermita, Paquito Ochoa and Salvador Medialdea held the post for six years under Presidents Gloria Arroyo, Benigno Aquino III and Rodrigo Duterte, respectively. Both Ochoa and Medialdea were lawyers while Ermita was a three-term congressman from Batangas who also handled the national defense portfolio under Arroyo.

Compared to many of his predecessors, Vic Rodriguez’s resume comes up a little bit short.

Accordingly, he was barangay captain of Sacred Heart in Quezon City for 10 years before becoming special assistant to the chief of the Business Permits and Licensing Office in 2002 under then-Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. He later became the officer-in-charge of the city’s Community Relations Office.

Rodriguez’s profile rose when he became spokesperson and chief of staff of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the run up to the 2022 elections. He was named Executive Secretary shortly after Marcos won as President.

The administration’s recent blunders have shown Rodriguez’s ineptness for the job. The appointment of Archipelago Philippines Ferries-FastCat owner Christopher Pastrana as Philippine Ports Authority General Manager has been met with criticism owing to perceived conflict of interest and his company’s supposed P132-million debt to the Department of Transportation.

So far, Pastrana’s appointment remains in limbo. Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista has instead designated a long-serving ports manager to become PPA’s officer-in-charge GM until further notice.

Former Energy chief Raphael Lotilla’s appointment also hit a snag as Malacañang appeared to have been remiss in vetting his credentials. Republic Act 7638 or the Department of Energy Act of 1992 prohibited the appointment of an Energy Secretary who used to be an officer of a private company engaged in the energy industry within two years from his resignation or retirement.

Lotilla, however, was an independent director of Aboitiz Power Corp., and the oil and gas exploration firm ACE Enexor. The Department of Justice later affirmed his nomination as “valid and lawful,” but not after the Palace’s head-scratching clarification that Lotilla’s appointment was a “nomination” for now.

Rodriguez’s hand was also seen in Marcos’ veto of the bill creating the Bulacan Airport City ecozone, which disappointed lawmakers and investors. He claimed there were “defects” that should be remedied by passing an entirely new legislation.

Philippine Star columnist Jarius Bondoc said there’s no one but Rodriguez to blame for the administration’s recent snafus. “From murmurs in Malacañang, Rodriguez had it coming. Supposedly he re-centralized to his office functions formerly dispersed to other units. That made him powerful, if overloaded,” Bondoc said.

Rodriguez has apparently taken upon himself to vet candidates for thousands of presidential appointees. No wonder the announcement of appointments is moving at a snail’s pace, with a number of key vacancies still unfilled.

For all his talk about being close to Marcos, one would think Rodriguez wants nothing more than the administration to succeed. But he seems bent on bringing his principal down, one wrong decision at a time.

 

It's only a few weeks after the inauguration of President Bong Bong Marcos, Jr., but it seems there are officials who are trying to stain the reputation of the PBBM and the government. Already getting greedy for power and money. 

Just recently, many news anchor hinted the public with their programs containing blind item of a certain official in Malacañang of an alleged taking advantage. He was coined as the P100 Million Man, 

According to some bits of information moving around the palace, this person known as El Kapitan of the administration is very close to the President. As per the details of the hearsay, this man is taking advantage of the situation by allegedly extorting money to those individual who would want to get hold of the position in the government that earn more for the government. Accordingly, they wanted that certain offices to be their milking cow.

What's intriguing about the person is that he asks for One Hundred Million Pesos (Ph100M) from people who want to have a position in the government, especially the so-called "juicy position" - these are the positions in government where you can get easy money.

Anyone who can provide the 100 million pesos El Kapitan will personally arrange the papers to get appointed to the preferred position.

What's worse with this El Kapitan or El Kupitan is that he does this even during the election, his modus operandi. Allegedly, all of the transactions with the business owners are the same. It starts with P100M and is even higher if the business owner is well off. All of them allegedly have the same stories.

Allegedly, there was also a story of a business owner who believed to be making his move to be noticed by PBBM by donating a sum of money, unfortunately, El Kupitan gave a bank account number registered to his name.

Now, this business owner doesn't have any idea if the donation reached to where it should given.

Aside from being coined as "Mr. 100 Million Man," El Kupitan was also given another name as "Silidonyo," it is describe as "silid dito, silid doon."

With this, people around PBBM are worried that this person might stain the image of the President and the whole administration. 

So, who do you think is this Mr. 100 Million Man, aka El Kupitan? He is a Raketista with a R in his name. Do you think you guess who is it?