By Ignacio R. Bunye Juan Ponce Enrile, who passed away on November 13, 2025 at the age of 101, leaves behind a legacy as complex and enduring as the nation he served. His death at home in Manila, surrounded by family, marked the close of a chapter that spanned nearly every presidency since Philippine independence. …
Speaking Out
Yacht race with a bold environmental mission
By Ignacio R. Bunye As the sails unfurl for the third season of the BPI Private Wealth Signature Yacht Race Series, the event has evolved into more than just a showcase of nautical prowess — it’s now a beacon of marine conservation and environmental advocacy. Sailing with purpose: A legacy of stewardship Launched in 2023, …
Peso may weaken further: Analysts warn of possible P60 to P61 exchange rate
By Ignacio R. Bunye Financial analysts are sounding the alarm: The Philippine peso may depreciate further, potentially breaching the P60 to P61 mark against the US dollar. Analysts identify the key drivers of depreciation, to wit: * Dollar strength — Elevated interest rates in the United States and persistent global uncertainty have led investors to …
A national failure in classroom construction
By Ignacio R. Bunye The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has delivered a performance so dismal, it borders on the absurd. Out of 1,700 classrooms targeted for completion this year, only 22 have been finished. That’s not a typo — it’s a completion rate of just 1.29 percent. With less than three months …
2026 National Budget: A familiar warning
By Ignacio R. Bunye The House has approved a P6.793-trillion budget for 2026. It’s being called the “best and cleanest” yet. We’re told to trust the system. But the numbers suggest otherwise. At the center of the issue is the flood control scandal. In previous years, hundreds of millions were allocated to projects that don’t …
A new gateway for global Filipino investors
By Ignacio R. Bunye The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) marked a new milestone last October 6 with the opening of BPI Wealth Singapore, a wholly owned subsidiary of the bank, right at the heart of Marina Bay. The launch represents BPI’s continued expansion in Asia and its commitment to providing Filipino and regional …
Time to wake up: A prayer against corruption, a call to conscience
By Ignacio R. Bunye This isn’t just a prayer — it’s a wake-up call for the whole country. Cardinal Jose Advincula has called on the Catholic Church in Manila to pray the Oratio Imperata Against Corruption. Every 8:00 p.m., church bells ring across the city — not just as a routine sound, but as a …
Disaster resilience is a moral imperative — not just a metric
By Ignacio R. Bunye The Philippines has once again been named the most disaster-prone country in the world. For the third consecutive year, we topped the World Risk Index — scoring 46.91 out of 100, the worst among 193 nations. This is not just a statistic. It is a sobering reflection of how vulnerable our …
‘Clean the House’: We need accountability, not just a new speaker
By Ignacio R. Bunye Last Wednesday, Speaker Martin Romualdez resigned amid allegations of ghost projects and flood control scams. He gave up the gavel — but not power. He remains congressman of Leyte. Is resignation enough? This isn’t just a leadership shuffle. It’s about billions of pesos meant for climate resilience and infrastructure — possibly siphoned …
Philippines bets on growth as the world hesitates
By Ignacio R. Bunye The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) sent a clear message on June 19: It is willing to get ahead of the curve. With its second 25-basis-point policy rate cut this year — bringing the benchmark down to 5.25 percent — the BSP continues to adopt a more dovish stance than many …