On Assignment With Me Archiv
25 Episoden
37 Minuten
It has been an eventful few weeks in Philippine politics and pursuing accountability.
Martin Romualdez — former House Speaker and the President's own cousin — was arrested for plunder on September 7, 2026, over ₱7.44 billion in alleged flood control kickbacks. He's now in Payatas jail. At the same time, the Senate impeachment court is trying Vice President Sara Duterte over ₱612.5 million in confidential funds — a parallel test of whether the country's most powerful families can actually be held to account.
It looks like justice finally caught up with the powerful.
But here's the data most people don't see: fewer than 1 in 10 officials involved in corruption cases in the Philippines actually serve time. Cases drag for years. Evidence disappears. And often, the very lawyers sworn to uphold the law are the ones helping officials move and hide the money.
On this assignment, I sit down with Ted Te, human rights lawyer, law professor, former Supreme Court spokesperson, and private prosecutor in the Duterte impeachment trial, to ask the question everyone's avoiding: is this actually different, or just theater with better production values?
We talk about:
— Why plunder convictions almost never lead to prison time
— How lawyers help the powerful launder money "legally"
— Whether impeachment can ever deliver real accountability
— The flawed Philippine justice system
— What would actually need to change to fix this
️ On Assignment With Me
Guest: Ted Te (@iamtedte)
#Philippines #Romualdez #Corruption #Plunder #Impeachment #SaraDuterte #Sandiganbayan #PhilippinePolitics #Accountability
Martin Romualdez — former House Speaker and the President's own cousin — was arrested for plunder on September 7, 2026, over ₱7.44 billion in alleged flood control kickbacks. He's now in Payatas jail. At the same time, the Senate impeachment court is trying Vice President Sara Duterte over ₱612.5 million in confidential funds — a parallel test of whether the country's most powerful families can actually be held to account.
It looks like justice finally caught up with the powerful.
But here's the data most people don't see: fewer than 1 in 10 officials involved in corruption cases in the Philippines actually serve time. Cases drag for years. Evidence disappears. And often, the very lawyers sworn to uphold the law are the ones helping officials move and hide the money.
On this assignment, I sit down with Ted Te, human rights lawyer, law professor, former Supreme Court spokesperson, and private prosecutor in the Duterte impeachment trial, to ask the question everyone's avoiding: is this actually different, or just theater with better production values?
We talk about:
— Why plunder convictions almost never lead to prison time
— How lawyers help the powerful launder money "legally"
— Whether impeachment can ever deliver real accountability
— The flawed Philippine justice system
— What would actually need to change to fix this
️ On Assignment With Me
Guest: Ted Te (@iamtedte)
#Philippines #Romualdez #Corruption #Plunder #Impeachment #SaraDuterte #Sandiganbayan #PhilippinePolitics #Accountability
38 Minuten
Former House Speaker and the president's cousin Martin Romualdez has responded to the allegations against him - and we break it all down in this episode.
A falsified affidavit. Three recanted witnesses. A claim that the whole case was scripted as a blackmail scheme.
I summarize the 116-page Counter Affidavit Romualdez filed this month, responding to the corruption complaint we broke down last episode, and it goes after nearly every piece of evidence in it.
On this assignment, I walk through his defense point by point: he had no personal control over the flood control budget; a key witness affidavit was ruled falsified; security aides who described cash deliveries have now recanted; and why he's asking the Ombudsman to dismiss the case entirely, arguing that continuing to prosecute him would itself violate his constitutional rights.
️ A note before you listen: this is one side's sworn response to the allegations. It doesn't settle the case, and the Ombudsman still has to weigh both filings before deciding whether to move forward.
Follow along as this case develops. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and on my social media and YouTube channels: @natashya_g
A falsified affidavit. Three recanted witnesses. A claim that the whole case was scripted as a blackmail scheme.
I summarize the 116-page Counter Affidavit Romualdez filed this month, responding to the corruption complaint we broke down last episode, and it goes after nearly every piece of evidence in it.
On this assignment, I walk through his defense point by point: he had no personal control over the flood control budget; a key witness affidavit was ruled falsified; security aides who described cash deliveries have now recanted; and why he's asking the Ombudsman to dismiss the case entirely, arguing that continuing to prosecute him would itself violate his constitutional rights.
️ A note before you listen: this is one side's sworn response to the allegations. It doesn't settle the case, and the Ombudsman still has to weigh both filings before deciding whether to move forward.
Follow along as this case develops. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and on my social media and YouTube channels: @natashya_g
31 Minuten
Suitcases of cash. A fake money-changer. Mansions and multi-million donations around the world.
A new Supplemental Complaint-Affidavit just landed at the Philippine Office of the Ombudsman — and it adds fresh witnesses, new financial trails, and new names to the country's biggest corruption scandal.
In this episode, I break down the 104-page complaint and what the filing actually alleges against former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, ex-congressman Elizaldy Co and their accomplices: a cash-kickback scheme tied to flood control projects, a network of shell companies and professional intermediaries accused of moving the money, and new financial intelligence findings that show a massive gap between declared wealth and alleged cash flows.
️ A note before you listen: these are allegations contained in a legal filing, not a conviction. The respondents have not yet had the opportunity to respond to these allegations.
Subscribe on Spotify, Apple and wherever you get your podcasts: On Assignment With Me
Follow along as this case develops: Subscribe to my YouTube channel and on social media @natashya_g
Check out my work and support this podcast: natashyagutierrez.com
#PhilippineNews #MartinRomualdez #floodcontrol #Corruption #Ombudsman #InvestigativeJournalism #OnAssignmentWithMe
A new Supplemental Complaint-Affidavit just landed at the Philippine Office of the Ombudsman — and it adds fresh witnesses, new financial trails, and new names to the country's biggest corruption scandal.
In this episode, I break down the 104-page complaint and what the filing actually alleges against former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, ex-congressman Elizaldy Co and their accomplices: a cash-kickback scheme tied to flood control projects, a network of shell companies and professional intermediaries accused of moving the money, and new financial intelligence findings that show a massive gap between declared wealth and alleged cash flows.
️ A note before you listen: these are allegations contained in a legal filing, not a conviction. The respondents have not yet had the opportunity to respond to these allegations.
Subscribe on Spotify, Apple and wherever you get your podcasts: On Assignment With Me
Follow along as this case develops: Subscribe to my YouTube channel and on social media @natashya_g
Check out my work and support this podcast: natashyagutierrez.com
#PhilippineNews #MartinRomualdez #floodcontrol #Corruption #Ombudsman #InvestigativeJournalism #OnAssignmentWithMe
31 Minuten
Real accountability or political theatre?
In this episode, we analyze President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's statements on the flood control corruption scandal in his recent State of the Nation address, including his announcement that charges will be filed against his very own cousin Martin Romualdez. We look at accountability, political motives, and the prospects for genuine reform in the Philippines.
On this assignment, we unpack how much of what he said in the SONA is real accountability — and how much is a government managing its own narrative, or the president just saving himself?
Professor Jean Encinas Franco, professor of Political Science at the University of the Philippines Diliman, provides expert insights into the political landscape and the challenges of achieving transparency.
Subscribe to "On Assignment with Me" on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app: https://onassignmentwithme.transistor.fm
Follow @natashya_g on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, X and Facebook.
Support independent journalism and this podcast: buymeacoffee.com/natashya_g
To know more about my work, go to natashyagutierrez.com
#Philippines #SONA2026 #BBM #corruption #martinromualdez #floodcontrol
In this episode, we analyze President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's statements on the flood control corruption scandal in his recent State of the Nation address, including his announcement that charges will be filed against his very own cousin Martin Romualdez. We look at accountability, political motives, and the prospects for genuine reform in the Philippines.
On this assignment, we unpack how much of what he said in the SONA is real accountability — and how much is a government managing its own narrative, or the president just saving himself?
Professor Jean Encinas Franco, professor of Political Science at the University of the Philippines Diliman, provides expert insights into the political landscape and the challenges of achieving transparency.
Subscribe to "On Assignment with Me" on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app: https://onassignmentwithme.transistor.fm
Follow @natashya_g on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, X and Facebook.
Support independent journalism and this podcast: buymeacoffee.com/natashya_g
To know more about my work, go to natashyagutierrez.com
#Philippines #SONA2026 #BBM #corruption #martinromualdez #floodcontrol
47 Minuten
Sports star Alex Eala just made history — beating defending champion Iga Świątek to reach the second week of Wimbledon, the deepest any Filipino has ever gone in a Grand Slam. Veteran sports journalist TJ Manotoc joins us on this episode to unpack what her rise means for the sport and the country.
While Eala was eliminated by Jasmine Paolini in the round of 16, she’s now reached a career-high singles ranking of world number 28. And somewhere along the way, Eala stopped being just a promising athlete and became something bigger. A symbol of what's possible. Of excellence. Of a country's hunger to see itself win on a stage it's rarely been invited to.
The 21-year-old from Manila has not only raised her own profile but has also ignited hope and pride among Filipino tennis fans.
On this assignment, we'll explore the factors behind Eala's meteoric rise, the impact of her achievements in the Philippines, and what her journey signifies for aspiring athletes.
Subscribe for more conversations on the stories shaping Philippine sports.
#alexeala #tennis #philippines #sports #wimbledon
While Eala was eliminated by Jasmine Paolini in the round of 16, she’s now reached a career-high singles ranking of world number 28. And somewhere along the way, Eala stopped being just a promising athlete and became something bigger. A symbol of what's possible. Of excellence. Of a country's hunger to see itself win on a stage it's rarely been invited to.
The 21-year-old from Manila has not only raised her own profile but has also ignited hope and pride among Filipino tennis fans.
On this assignment, we'll explore the factors behind Eala's meteoric rise, the impact of her achievements in the Philippines, and what her journey signifies for aspiring athletes.
Subscribe for more conversations on the stories shaping Philippine sports.
#alexeala #tennis #philippines #sports #wimbledon
34 Minuten
Government officials, business owners and developers have contributed to the destruction of Siargao's environment and natural beauty.
On this episode, we speak to Siargao-based anti-corruption advocate and resort owner Christophe Bariou, about the impunity he has witnessed on the island, its impact on the environment, and how he's endeavoured to fight it.
Siargao Island is a tear-drop shaped island in Southern Philippines widely known around the world for its surfing, beaches, and natural beauty – and is fast becoming one of the most popular islands in Asia.
It’s now being touted as the next Bali not just because of its ability to draw international crowds, but because its rapid tourism growth and development have brought significant environmental pressures and sustainability challenges.
The island is also facing major environmental issues caused by the climate crisis and corruption, and local communities are sounding the alarm.
In this 3-part series “Saving Siargao,” we look at the environmental problems plaguing the paradise island, and speak to the people who are fighting to save and protect it.
This series is supported by @EarthJournalism.
#siargao #philippines #environment #onassignmentwithme #news #corruption #tourism
On this episode, we speak to Siargao-based anti-corruption advocate and resort owner Christophe Bariou, about the impunity he has witnessed on the island, its impact on the environment, and how he's endeavoured to fight it.
Siargao Island is a tear-drop shaped island in Southern Philippines widely known around the world for its surfing, beaches, and natural beauty – and is fast becoming one of the most popular islands in Asia.
It’s now being touted as the next Bali not just because of its ability to draw international crowds, but because its rapid tourism growth and development have brought significant environmental pressures and sustainability challenges.
The island is also facing major environmental issues caused by the climate crisis and corruption, and local communities are sounding the alarm.
In this 3-part series “Saving Siargao,” we look at the environmental problems plaguing the paradise island, and speak to the people who are fighting to save and protect it.
This series is supported by @EarthJournalism.
#siargao #philippines #environment #onassignmentwithme #news #corruption #tourism
32 Minuten
There's a crisis lurking beneath Siargao's oceans.
On this episode, we speak to Chie Defino of Ocean Tribe Philippines and go beneath the surface of Siargao's seas – to understand the island's environmental issues underwater.
Siargao Island is a tear-drop shaped island in Southern Philippines widely known around the world for its surfing, beaches, and natural beauty – and is fast becoming one of the most popular islands in Asia.
It’s now being touted as the next Bali not just because of its ability to draw international crowds, but because its rapid tourism growth and development have brought significant environmental pressures and sustainability challenges.
The island is also facing major environmental issues caused by the climate crisis and corruption, and local communities are sounding the alarm.
In this 3-part series “Saving Siargao,” we look at the environmental problems plaguing the paradise island, and speak to the people who are fighting to save and protect it.
This series is supported by The Earth Journalism Network.
On this episode, we speak to Chie Defino of Ocean Tribe Philippines and go beneath the surface of Siargao's seas – to understand the island's environmental issues underwater.
Siargao Island is a tear-drop shaped island in Southern Philippines widely known around the world for its surfing, beaches, and natural beauty – and is fast becoming one of the most popular islands in Asia.
It’s now being touted as the next Bali not just because of its ability to draw international crowds, but because its rapid tourism growth and development have brought significant environmental pressures and sustainability challenges.
The island is also facing major environmental issues caused by the climate crisis and corruption, and local communities are sounding the alarm.
In this 3-part series “Saving Siargao,” we look at the environmental problems plaguing the paradise island, and speak to the people who are fighting to save and protect it.
This series is supported by The Earth Journalism Network.
26 Minuten
On part 1 of our three-part series, our assignment is to understand the environmental impact of mass tourism on the island.
On this episode, we speak to Analyn Dulpina, Kara Rosas, and Iris Aroa of Lokal Lab, a grassroots NGO focused on sustainability for Siargao.
Siargao Island is a tear-drop shaped island in Southern Philippines, widely known around the world for its surfing, beaches, and natural beauty. It's fast becoming one of the most popular islands in Asia, but it’s being touted as the next Bali not just because of its ability to draw international crowds, but because its rapid tourism growth and development have brought significant environmental pressures and sustainability challenges.
The island is also facing major environmental issues caused by the climate crisis and corruption, and local communities are sounding the alarm.
In this 3-part series, “Saving Siargao” we look at the environmental problems plaguing the paradise island, and speak to the people who are fighting to save and protect it.
This series is supported by The Earth Journalism Network.
On this episode, we speak to Analyn Dulpina, Kara Rosas, and Iris Aroa of Lokal Lab, a grassroots NGO focused on sustainability for Siargao.
Siargao Island is a tear-drop shaped island in Southern Philippines, widely known around the world for its surfing, beaches, and natural beauty. It's fast becoming one of the most popular islands in Asia, but it’s being touted as the next Bali not just because of its ability to draw international crowds, but because its rapid tourism growth and development have brought significant environmental pressures and sustainability challenges.
The island is also facing major environmental issues caused by the climate crisis and corruption, and local communities are sounding the alarm.
In this 3-part series, “Saving Siargao” we look at the environmental problems plaguing the paradise island, and speak to the people who are fighting to save and protect it.
This series is supported by The Earth Journalism Network.
59 Sekunden
Siargao Island is a tear-drop shaped island in Southern Philippines, widely known around the world for its surfing, beaches, and natural beauty. It's fast becoming one of the most popular islands in Asia, but it’s being touted as the next Bali not just because of its ability to draw international crowds, but because its rapid tourism growth and development have brought significant environmental pressures and sustainability challenges.
The island is also facing major environmental issues caused by the climate crisis and corruption, and local communities are sounding the alarm.
In this 3-part series, “Saving Siargao” we look at the environmental problems plaguing the paradise island, and speak to the people who are fighting to save and protect it.
This series is supported by The Earth Journalism Network.
The island is also facing major environmental issues caused by the climate crisis and corruption, and local communities are sounding the alarm.
In this 3-part series, “Saving Siargao” we look at the environmental problems plaguing the paradise island, and speak to the people who are fighting to save and protect it.
This series is supported by The Earth Journalism Network.
17 Minuten
EXCLUSIVE: Our latest investigation reveals two additional New York City properties have links to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
My assignment today is to investigate how documents, sources and new evidence ties Romualdez and his family to more US properties.
Property records show that in 2025, Romualdez's business associate and fraternity brother Andrew Casino was named trustee of three additional properties at the Ritz Tower in Manhattan, just a year after Romualdez acquired a unit on behalf of his father's estate. Casino is the same lawyer who facilitated that acquisition, and another Romualdez property in Massachusetts.
The new units were acquired in a similar manner that match previous luxury properties linked to Romualdez, and taken with additional evidence, raise questions over real ownership.
This latest investigation brings the total number of properties linked to Romualdez, that we've found on this podcast alone, to four.
Romualdez is the first cousin of Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr and one of his closest allies. He is one of the top government officials allegedly linked to the flood control corruption scandal, an accusation he denies. The Ombudsman is currently investigating him for money laundering, but no formal charges have been filed.
Subscribe to Spotify, Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app: https://onassignmentwithme.transistor.fm
Follow @natashya_g on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, X and Facebook.
Support independent journalism and this podcast: buymeacoffee.com/natashya_g
To know more about my work, go to natashyagutierrez.com
#nyc #ritztower #martinromualdez #lifestylecheck #philippines #floodcontrolcorruption
My assignment today is to investigate how documents, sources and new evidence ties Romualdez and his family to more US properties.
Property records show that in 2025, Romualdez's business associate and fraternity brother Andrew Casino was named trustee of three additional properties at the Ritz Tower in Manhattan, just a year after Romualdez acquired a unit on behalf of his father's estate. Casino is the same lawyer who facilitated that acquisition, and another Romualdez property in Massachusetts.
The new units were acquired in a similar manner that match previous luxury properties linked to Romualdez, and taken with additional evidence, raise questions over real ownership.
This latest investigation brings the total number of properties linked to Romualdez, that we've found on this podcast alone, to four.
Romualdez is the first cousin of Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr and one of his closest allies. He is one of the top government officials allegedly linked to the flood control corruption scandal, an accusation he denies. The Ombudsman is currently investigating him for money laundering, but no formal charges have been filed.
Subscribe to Spotify, Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app: https://onassignmentwithme.transistor.fm
Follow @natashya_g on YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, X and Facebook.
Support independent journalism and this podcast: buymeacoffee.com/natashya_g
To know more about my work, go to natashyagutierrez.com
#nyc #ritztower #martinromualdez #lifestylecheck #philippines #floodcontrolcorruption
27 Minuten
I'm back from a bit of a hiatus that included attending a week-long course at Harvard Kennedy School, on Global Leadership and Public Policy for the 21st Century. In this episode, I recap my top three takeaways from the program, reflect on the feeling of being in a classroom again, and talk about why I came out of it feeling surprisingly optimistic about the future. I hope you take something away from my candid reflection about my brief time in Cambridge.
On this assignment, I take you with me on my personal journey to become a better journalist and newsroom leader.
Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app: https://onassignmentwithme.transistor.fm
Follow @natashya_g on YouTube for video episodes, and on Instagram, Tiktok, X and Facebook for updates.
Support independent journalism and this podcast: buymeacoffee.com/natashya_g
To know more about my work, go to natashyagutierrez.com
On this assignment, I take you with me on my personal journey to become a better journalist and newsroom leader.
Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app: https://onassignmentwithme.transistor.fm
Follow @natashya_g on YouTube for video episodes, and on Instagram, Tiktok, X and Facebook for updates.
Support independent journalism and this podcast: buymeacoffee.com/natashya_g
To know more about my work, go to natashyagutierrez.com
10 Minuten
In this bonus episode, 2021 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa talks about some of her greatest learnings, how she reacts to the criticisms and online hate against her, and gives advice on how to live a life with no regrets.
We also talk about the mental health toll of being female journalists under attack.
In her most personal interview yet, I speak to my mentor and friend, and one of the most famous journalists of our time.
Note: This interview was filmed in August 2025
Listen to Episode 10 and 11 for the full two-part interview.
Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app: https://onassignmentwithme.transistor.fm
Follow @natashya_g on YouTube for video episodes, and on Instagram, Tiktok, X and Facebook for updates.
Support independent journalism and this podcast: buymeacoffee.com/natashya_g
To know more about my work, go to natashyagutierrez.com
#mariaressa #journalism #nobelpeaceprize #corruption #philippines
We also talk about the mental health toll of being female journalists under attack.
In her most personal interview yet, I speak to my mentor and friend, and one of the most famous journalists of our time.
Note: This interview was filmed in August 2025
Listen to Episode 10 and 11 for the full two-part interview.
Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app: https://onassignmentwithme.transistor.fm
Follow @natashya_g on YouTube for video episodes, and on Instagram, Tiktok, X and Facebook for updates.
Support independent journalism and this podcast: buymeacoffee.com/natashya_g
To know more about my work, go to natashyagutierrez.com
#mariaressa #journalism #nobelpeaceprize #corruption #philippines
24 Minuten
"It's a perversion... to have hate, anger, fear spread faster. That is the worst of who we are as a people," says Maria Ressa, one of the most famous journalists of our time. "This is a moment of truth for our generation."
On the second episode of our two-part conversation, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate warns that the death of democracy is looming – unless we act collectively, now. With the prevalence of artificial intelligence, the impunity of big tech, and the loss of trust, she explains why she believes "we are standing on the rubble of the world that was," and shares why she continues to be optimistic that we can "build better."
Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app: https://onassignmentwithme.transistor.fm
Follow @natashya_g on YouTube for video episodes, and on Instagram, Tiktok, X and Facebook for updates.
Support independent journalism and this podcast: buymeacoffee.com/natashya_g
To know more about my work, go to natashyagutierrez.com
On the second episode of our two-part conversation, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate warns that the death of democracy is looming – unless we act collectively, now. With the prevalence of artificial intelligence, the impunity of big tech, and the loss of trust, she explains why she believes "we are standing on the rubble of the world that was," and shares why she continues to be optimistic that we can "build better."
Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app: https://onassignmentwithme.transistor.fm
Follow @natashya_g on YouTube for video episodes, and on Instagram, Tiktok, X and Facebook for updates.
Support independent journalism and this podcast: buymeacoffee.com/natashya_g
To know more about my work, go to natashyagutierrez.com
50 Minuten
This is Maria Ressa like you've never seen her before.
In her most personal interview yet, I speak to my mentor and friend... who also happens to have won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2021. Maria talks about the most formative moments of her life, how she sticks to her values in a fragmented world, and what the Nobel meant to her.
"The minute you become corrupt, you can't help it," she says. "You will follow a path. You will never be clean again, right?"
On this assignment, we get up close and personal with one of the most famous journalists of our time.
Note: This interview was filmed in August 2025
Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app: https://onassignmentwithme.transistor.fm
Follow @natashya_g on YouTube for video episodes, and on Instagram, Tiktok, X and Facebook for updates.
Support independent journalism and this podcast: buymeacoffee.com/natashya_g
To know more about my work, go to natashyagutierrez.com
#mariaressa #journalism #nobelpeaceprize #corruption #philippines
In her most personal interview yet, I speak to my mentor and friend... who also happens to have won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2021. Maria talks about the most formative moments of her life, how she sticks to her values in a fragmented world, and what the Nobel meant to her.
"The minute you become corrupt, you can't help it," she says. "You will follow a path. You will never be clean again, right?"
On this assignment, we get up close and personal with one of the most famous journalists of our time.
Note: This interview was filmed in August 2025
Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app: https://onassignmentwithme.transistor.fm
Follow @natashya_g on YouTube for video episodes, and on Instagram, Tiktok, X and Facebook for updates.
Support independent journalism and this podcast: buymeacoffee.com/natashya_g
To know more about my work, go to natashyagutierrez.com
#mariaressa #journalism #nobelpeaceprize #corruption #philippines
47 Minuten
One of the things I love most about the work I do is being able to speak to individuals with influence and power, ask them questions, and push for accountability for citizens. On this episode, we sit down with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) head Vince Dizon, who has been tasked to lead what has been coined the Philippines' most corrupt government agency.
My assignment today is to understand the work he is doing to try and reform a deeply corrupt system, challenge his thoughts on the president he serves, and get to the root of what drives him.
The DPWH in the Philippines serves as the government's construction arm, tasked with building infrastructure projects across the entire country. But it is now at the heart of the nation's largest corruption scandal in history, as investigations reveal that lawmakers, government engineers and contractors colluded to pocket billions of dollars of taxpayers' money meant for flood control structures. As a result, millions of Filipinos are left to suffer and made even more vulnerable to flooding and the climate crisis, while public officials enriched themselves and their families.
In this honest and enlightening conversation, Dizon – who was appointed in September 2025 – talks about his trust in Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr, how this new job has personally affected him, and in a light moment, shares his thoughts on being named one of the most Googled male personalities in the Philippines in 2025.
Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app: https://onassignmentwithme.transistor.fm
Follow @natashya_g on YouTube for video episodes, and on Instagram, Tiktok, X and Facebook for updates.
Support independent journalism and this podcast: buymeacoffee.com/natashya_g
To know more about my work, go to natashyagutierrez.com
#vincedizon #dpwh #philippines #floodcontrol #corruption
My assignment today is to understand the work he is doing to try and reform a deeply corrupt system, challenge his thoughts on the president he serves, and get to the root of what drives him.
The DPWH in the Philippines serves as the government's construction arm, tasked with building infrastructure projects across the entire country. But it is now at the heart of the nation's largest corruption scandal in history, as investigations reveal that lawmakers, government engineers and contractors colluded to pocket billions of dollars of taxpayers' money meant for flood control structures. As a result, millions of Filipinos are left to suffer and made even more vulnerable to flooding and the climate crisis, while public officials enriched themselves and their families.
In this honest and enlightening conversation, Dizon – who was appointed in September 2025 – talks about his trust in Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr, how this new job has personally affected him, and in a light moment, shares his thoughts on being named one of the most Googled male personalities in the Philippines in 2025.
Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app: https://onassignmentwithme.transistor.fm
Follow @natashya_g on YouTube for video episodes, and on Instagram, Tiktok, X and Facebook for updates.
Support independent journalism and this podcast: buymeacoffee.com/natashya_g
To know more about my work, go to natashyagutierrez.com
#vincedizon #dpwh #philippines #floodcontrol #corruption
On Assignment With Me
I'm Natashya Gutierrez, an award-winning journalist and on this limited series podcast, I take you...