By Ignacio R. Bunye Imagine waking up to flooded streets, missed work and rising prices — then learning that billions of pesos meant to prevent those very problems were stolen. That’s not fiction. That’s the reality behind the P118.5 billion ghost flood control scandal now shaking our nation. These weren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet. …
Speaking Out
Choose the difficult: A call to courage in a fragmented world
By Ignacio R. Bunye On the evening of August 16, as the University of Asia and the Pacific marked its 30th Commencement Exercises, Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala stood before 414 graduates — not to flatter, but to challenge. His message was not one of ease or applause. It was a call to friction, fire …
‘The Man Who Came Home’ — A student’s tribute to Ninoy Aquino
By Ignacio R. Bunye Coming home from a series of meetings in Makati last Wednesday, I was pleasantly surprised to watch a video of a 13-year-old student delivering a moving tribute to Ninoy Aquino on the eve of Ninoy’s martyrdom 42 years ago. Allow me to share with you Neo Fresnedi’s piece. *** Good morning, …
Budget reform is not a show — it’s a commitment
By Ignacio R. Bunye In the Philippines, every peso matters. And every promise made through the national budget affects real lives — especially those of ordinary Filipinos. That’s why the budget isn’t just numbers on paper. It’s a reflection of our values. It shows who we care about, what we choose to fix, and …
Navigating the future of Filipino wealth
SPEAKING OUT By Ignacio R. Bunye In a financial landscape marked by volatility and transformation, BPI Wealth is charting a bold course — digitally, globally and sustainably. At the helm is Maria Theresa Marcial, a seasoned banker, strategist and offshore sailor whose leadership is reshaping how Filipinos build and protect their wealth. Digital milestones, global …
From peso fuerte to future-forward finance
By Ignacio R. Bunye The Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) marks its 174th founding anniversary with more than solid numbers — it celebrates resilience, relevance and a renewed commitment to enabling dreams and driving inclusive progress. A tradition of gratitude and community As is customary, the celebration began with a Thanksgiving Mass led by …
Love, floods and nationhood at Barasoain
By Ignacio R. Bunye On July 22, while most of Luzon braced for yet another round of flooding, a couple in Malolos chose to walk through rising waters — not to evacuate, but to get married. Inside the historic Barasoain Church, Jade Rick Verdillo and Jamaica Aguilar stood ankle-deep in floodwater to exchange vows, surrounded …
A champion’s return to her roots and her supporters
By Ignacio R. Bunye After a whirlwind season that saw her break barriers on the global tennis stage, Alex Eala returned home to the Philippines — not just as a world-ranked athlete, but as a beacon of hope and pride for a nation hungry for sporting heroes. Fresh off her historic Wimbledon debut and a …
Konektadong Pinoy Act is the disruption the Philippines needs
By Ignacio R. Bunye In a country where over 45 percent of barangays remain disconnected from reliable internet, the Konektadong Pinoy Act offers a rare — and necessary — break from the status quo. Despite loud opposition from legacy telcos, this bill is a bold step toward fixing a telecom landscape that has long been monopolistic, …
Vision realized
By Ignacio R. Bunye In an age where infrastructure projects often arrive late and over budget, the early completion of the Upper Wawa Dam — seven months ahead of schedule — is nothing short of extraordinary. Behind this engineering triumph stands a visionary who never lost sight of its potential: Oscar I. Violago. Chairman of …