Arj Aguirre
@arjaguirre.bsky.social
PhDing in Political Science at Dept. of Political Science, University of Pittsburgh 🇺🇸 | Assistant Professor (on study leave) at Dept. of Political Science, Ateneo de Manila University 🇵🇭 | MA (Ateneo) / MSc (LSE) as Chevening Scholar 🇬🇧
I said in this interview that "the admin will need far more than sporadic arrests or announcements" “Only when individuals with real political backing, or those close to influential families, are held accountable will the public begin to view the probe as credible".
www.scmp.com/week-asia/pe...
www.scmp.com/week-asia/pe...
Philippines ‘flood control queen’ faces arrest over corruption scandal
Prosecutors accuse Cezarah ‘Sarah’ Discaya of pocketing millions for a government-funded flood control project that was never built.
www.scmp.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:49 AM
I said in this interview that "the admin will need far more than sporadic arrests or announcements" “Only when individuals with real political backing, or those close to influential families, are held accountable will the public begin to view the probe as credible".
www.scmp.com/week-asia/pe...
www.scmp.com/week-asia/pe...
I said in this interview that for the movement to grow "they must have clear messaging. The must already have demands." “There should be demands directed at the government, and those demands must be met with bigger protests if unmet.”
www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/...
www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/...
Filipinos push back as flood-control scandal sparks fresh protest wave - BusinessWorld Online
BJ I. MABINI didn’t plan on joining a street protest. But when he saw videos of politicians’ relatives flaunting designer bags and luxury cars online — days after headlines warned that billions of pes...
www.bworldonline.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:10 PM
I said in this interview that for the movement to grow "they must have clear messaging. The must already have demands." “There should be demands directed at the government, and those demands must be met with bigger protests if unmet.”
www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/...
www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/...
I said in this interview that "the administration squandered an early chance to show impartiality by appointing a political ally rather than an independent expert as Ombudsman, immediately casting doubt on the integrity of the process." www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2...
Marcos faces credibility test amid public skepticism of his anti-graft drive — analyst - BusinessWorld Online
THE Marcos administration may struggle to convince the public that its anti-corruption campaign will yield concrete results, an analyst said over the weekend, warning that recent appointments and the ...
www.bworldonline.com
December 1, 2025 at 8:07 AM
I said in this interview that "the administration squandered an early chance to show impartiality by appointing a political ally rather than an independent expert as Ombudsman, immediately casting doubt on the integrity of the process." www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2...
I said in this interview that this development “will inevitably raise questions: Why only now? And why begin with Co – along with some Sunwest figures and selected DPWH officials – when the alleged network appears much broader?”
amp.scmp.com/week-asia/po...
amp.scmp.com/week-asia/po...
8 arrested in Philippine flood control scandal, but will ‘big fish’ get away?
Analysts say the real test will be whether investigators confront the deeper networks alleged to underpin the corruption scandal.
amp.scmp.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:05 AM
I said in this interview that this development “will inevitably raise questions: Why only now? And why begin with Co – along with some Sunwest figures and selected DPWH officials – when the alleged network appears much broader?”
amp.scmp.com/week-asia/po...
amp.scmp.com/week-asia/po...
I said in this interview that “the numbers seem to show that Marcos is the main casualty of this year’s political issues”. This decline can be attributed to the “mobilization of political resources from the Duterte camp” and numerous missteps. amp.scmp.com/week-asia/pe...
Philippines’ Marcos ‘the main casualty’ of political issues as ratings fall
A new survey shows Duterte-Carpio likely regaining momentum as Marcos grapples with waning confidence in his leadership.
amp.scmp.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:15 AM
I said in this interview that “the numbers seem to show that Marcos is the main casualty of this year’s political issues”. This decline can be attributed to the “mobilization of political resources from the Duterte camp” and numerous missteps. amp.scmp.com/week-asia/pe...
In my DZMM interview, I discussed what to expect in the coming months regarding the ongoing flood control crisis, and why it’s crucial for citizens to continue mobilizing to hold officials accountable and push for genuine government reforms. www.youtube.com/watch?v=duGi...
Personalities involved may delay corruption probe for public to forget: analyst | (07 November 2025)
YouTube video by DZMM Teleradyo
www.youtube.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:50 PM
In my DZMM interview, I discussed what to expect in the coming months regarding the ongoing flood control crisis, and why it’s crucial for citizens to continue mobilizing to hold officials accountable and push for genuine government reforms. www.youtube.com/watch?v=duGi...
I said in this interview that the statement “is an obvious coordinated move from the Dutertes … especially now that the US still enjoys a high trust rating among Filipinos.”
amp.scmp.com/week-asia/po...
amp.scmp.com/week-asia/po...
Philippine military fires back as Duterte’s son takes potshot at US ties
Paolo Duterte’s claims of the military ‘showing off for America’ are aimed at undermining the current administration, analysts say.
amp.scmp.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:16 AM
I said in this interview that the statement “is an obvious coordinated move from the Dutertes … especially now that the US still enjoys a high trust rating among Filipinos.”
amp.scmp.com/week-asia/po...
amp.scmp.com/week-asia/po...
I said in this interview that “it is logical to assume that -[PH govt] will use the same approach in dealing with the typhoon – thinking of government responses that are meant to project that Marcos is also in control of the disaster response work”.
www.scmp.com/week-asia/he...
www.scmp.com/week-asia/he...
Super Typhoon Ragasa’s fury adds to Philippine President Marcos’ flood of woes
The president is already facing a torrent of public scrutiny in the wake of corruption-linked flood control projects.
www.scmp.com
September 24, 2025 at 7:21 AM
I said in this interview that “it is logical to assume that -[PH govt] will use the same approach in dealing with the typhoon – thinking of government responses that are meant to project that Marcos is also in control of the disaster response work”.
www.scmp.com/week-asia/he...
www.scmp.com/week-asia/he...
I said in the interview that this would be the “beginning of something big” & urged groups to put up a united front to make the govt agree to their demands—“investigating all involved, prosecuting them & pushing for the passage of reform bills on FOI & anti-dynasty”. amp.scmp.com/week-asia/po...
‘Truly shameful’: mass protests in Philippines as fury mounts over corruption
Filipinos condemned the corruption in sham projects as an estimated US$2 billion in funds went down the drain.
amp.scmp.com
September 21, 2025 at 6:19 PM
I said in the interview that this would be the “beginning of something big” & urged groups to put up a united front to make the govt agree to their demands—“investigating all involved, prosecuting them & pushing for the passage of reform bills on FOI & anti-dynasty”. amp.scmp.com/week-asia/po...
In this interview, I emphasized that "since the replacement is an ally, it is safe to assume that this move is just to preempt Romualdez's ouster." “This may be just a 'proxy leadership'." www.esquiremag.ph/politics/new... #Esquiremag.ph via @EsquirePH
Does House Speaker Martin Romualdez's Resignation Mean Anything?
Congress has yet another leadership change amid public outrage on corruption.
www.esquiremag.ph
September 18, 2025 at 11:05 PM
In this interview, I emphasized that "since the replacement is an ally, it is safe to assume that this move is just to preempt Romualdez's ouster." “This may be just a 'proxy leadership'." www.esquiremag.ph/politics/new... #Esquiremag.ph via @EsquirePH
In this interview, I said that 'resignation' (and just hand over the Speakership to an ally) might be better for them than being ousted by a real rival (from the Duterte bloc). A mere preemptive move because of the flood control mess.
www.bworldonline.com/breaking-new...
www.bworldonline.com/breaking-new...
Speaker Romualdez quits amid flood control scandal - BusinessWorld Online
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez resigned on Wednesday amid mounting criticism of his alleged role in the Philippines’ multibillion-peso flood control scandal, triggering a leadership shakeup in ...
www.bworldonline.com
September 17, 2025 at 9:44 PM
In this interview, I said that 'resignation' (and just hand over the Speakership to an ally) might be better for them than being ousted by a real rival (from the Duterte bloc). A mere preemptive move because of the flood control mess.
www.bworldonline.com/breaking-new...
www.bworldonline.com/breaking-new...
I said in this interview, that Pres. Marcos' "independent commission for infrastructure" is not that independent at all & has 'capability deficiency'. Thus, it may be used to protect personalities & allies. My apologies for being pessimistic about this :(
www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/...
www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/...
Marcos vows independent probe into flood-control irregularities - BusinessWorld Online
PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Monday said his newly created commission investigating irregularities in the multibillion-peso flood-control projects would operate independently and f...
www.bworldonline.com
September 15, 2025 at 10:45 PM
I said in this interview, that Pres. Marcos' "independent commission for infrastructure" is not that independent at all & has 'capability deficiency'. Thus, it may be used to protect personalities & allies. My apologies for being pessimistic about this :(
www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/...
www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/...
In this interview, I said that Marcos’ anti-corruption drive “unfortunately is being done haphazardly or carelessly.” “The issue seems to have backfired on them since even their [House allies] are now being implicated by those flood control contractors.”
www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/...
www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/...
Marcos’ anti-graft push to test political alliances - BusinessWorld Online
PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s campaign targeting corruption in flood control projects could boost his credibility with voters and investors but risks straining political alliances, a...
www.bworldonline.com
September 12, 2025 at 12:56 AM
In this interview, I said that Marcos’ anti-corruption drive “unfortunately is being done haphazardly or carelessly.” “The issue seems to have backfired on them since even their [House allies] are now being implicated by those flood control contractors.”
www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/...
www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/...
In this interview, I said that Discaya’s silence about the involvement of people other than the elected officials can be construed as “a clear political manoeuvre that may lead to a distorted view of the real score… story behind the flood control mess.”
amp.scmp.com/week-asia/pe...
amp.scmp.com/week-asia/pe...
Philippine contractors allege political bribery in flood control scandal
The Discayas have offered to turn state witnesses but legal experts say their alleged role in the scandal could undermine their credibility.
amp.scmp.com
September 9, 2025 at 11:36 PM
In this interview, I said that Discaya’s silence about the involvement of people other than the elected officials can be construed as “a clear political manoeuvre that may lead to a distorted view of the real score… story behind the flood control mess.”
amp.scmp.com/week-asia/pe...
amp.scmp.com/week-asia/pe...
In this interview, I said that “Senate President Sotto will be tested for his stands and political disposition at the start of the 20th Congress, where he was just competing for the Senate President position with then-Senate President Escudero.”
www.esquiremag.ph/politics/new...
www.esquiremag.ph/politics/new...
Tito In, Chiz Out: How Escudero Got Booted as Senate President, and What's in Store for Sotto
Amid the backdrop of corruption-ridden flood-control management, Tito Sotto is back as Senate President.
www.esquiremag.ph
September 8, 2025 at 8:53 PM
In this interview, I said that “Senate President Sotto will be tested for his stands and political disposition at the start of the 20th Congress, where he was just competing for the Senate President position with then-Senate President Escudero.”
www.esquiremag.ph/politics/new...
www.esquiremag.ph/politics/new...
In this interview, I said the the Marcoses had struggled to 'connect China w/ the Dutertes' & capitalize on anti-China sentiment against the Dutertes. By contrast, the Dutertes seem to know what to do & "has limited its messaging & engagement, keeping VP [Sara] from making statements about China".
85% of Filipinos distrust China amid sea tensions: poll
High level of distrust reflects ‘an existential threat to the Philippines’ future’ and could fuel changes to public policy, analysts say.
www.scmp.com
August 27, 2025 at 5:03 AM
In this interview, I said the the Marcoses had struggled to 'connect China w/ the Dutertes' & capitalize on anti-China sentiment against the Dutertes. By contrast, the Dutertes seem to know what to do & "has limited its messaging & engagement, keeping VP [Sara] from making statements about China".
I said here that “it would be prudent to know from the record of the budget deliberations who fought for [this or] that project. That’s a good indicator of a possible link between these questionable contractors & their lawmaker patrons who are into this new pork barrel.”
amp.scmp.com/week-asia/ec...
amp.scmp.com/week-asia/ec...
Philippine president fumes over flood corruption, ‘economic sabotage’
Despite billions being spent on flood control in recent years, Manila was still submerged this summer after four days of torrential rain.
amp.scmp.com
August 22, 2025 at 4:38 AM
I said here that “it would be prudent to know from the record of the budget deliberations who fought for [this or] that project. That’s a good indicator of a possible link between these questionable contractors & their lawmaker patrons who are into this new pork barrel.”
amp.scmp.com/week-asia/ec...
amp.scmp.com/week-asia/ec...
In this interview, I said that the link between the Commission on Audit & the flood control contractor connected to the Lipana couple is a red flag, since it raises serious concerns about their ability to separate family interests from their official work.
www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/...
www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/...
www.abs-cbn.com
August 21, 2025 at 4:05 AM
In this interview, I said that the link between the Commission on Audit & the flood control contractor connected to the Lipana couple is a red flag, since it raises serious concerns about their ability to separate family interests from their official work.
www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/...
www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/...
I said in this interview that Ang's offer "goes against conventional thinking about private entities...dealing with public entities like the government—this always involves being mindful of the payoffs or benefits, gains for their business or interest." www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/...
www.abs-cbn.com
August 11, 2025 at 11:43 PM
I said in this interview that Ang's offer "goes against conventional thinking about private entities...dealing with public entities like the government—this always involves being mindful of the payoffs or benefits, gains for their business or interest." www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/...
I said in this interview that the impeachment is all about accountability not just ‘politics.’ www.abs-cbn.com/news/2025/8/...
www.abs-cbn.com
August 10, 2025 at 6:40 AM
I said in this interview that the impeachment is all about accountability not just ‘politics.’ www.abs-cbn.com/news/2025/8/...
I was interviewed about the impeachment where I said that it involves an important issue of holding VP Sara accountable and it is logical to think also that as politicians, they are inclined to politicize it as they prepare for the next electoral cycle. www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF1u...
Senators use VP Duterte impeachment case to gain supporters ahead of 2028 polls: expert
YouTube video by DZMM Teleradyo
www.youtube.com
August 10, 2025 at 3:54 AM
I was interviewed about the impeachment where I said that it involves an important issue of holding VP Sara accountable and it is logical to think also that as politicians, they are inclined to politicize it as they prepare for the next electoral cycle. www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF1u...
I said in this interview that Marcos govt should be serious with its anti-corruption drive. This is why I am not impressed with his State of the Nation Address--it does not have substance & clear direction. Passing an FOI law is a major step. www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2...
Analysts: Marcos should pursue FOI reforms to cement government transparency - BusinessWorld Online
PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. should enact the long-awaited Freedom of Information (FOI) bill to stay true to his government’s commitment to transparency and accountability, and as he seeks to ce...
www.bworldonline.com
July 30, 2025 at 5:09 AM
I said in this interview that Marcos govt should be serious with its anti-corruption drive. This is why I am not impressed with his State of the Nation Address--it does not have substance & clear direction. Passing an FOI law is a major step. www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2...
I was interviewed this morning (PH time) on DZMM Radyo Patrol about Pres. Marcos' State of the Nation Address where I said that I am not impressed with his speech for sounding like it is merely intending to improve his approval ratings. Here is the link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgTR...
Marcos’ SONA 2025 aims to boost approval rating: political analyst | Balitapatan (29 July 2025)
YouTube video by DZMM Teleradyo
www.youtube.com
July 29, 2025 at 4:20 AM
I was interviewed this morning (PH time) on DZMM Radyo Patrol about Pres. Marcos' State of the Nation Address where I said that I am not impressed with his speech for sounding like it is merely intending to improve his approval ratings. Here is the link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TgTR...
I said in this interview that "Marcos admin wants to be recognized for having fixed the economy after the storm that is the coronavirus pandemic” & “expect Duterte allies in the Senate, and even potential Duterte allies in the House to become obstructionists.”
www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/...
www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/...
Marcos faces rising discontent as he delivers 4th SONA - BusinessWorld Online
THREE YEARS into his presidency, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. faces mounting public frustration as Filipinos say many of the promises he made during his 2022 campaign remain unfulfilled.
www.bworldonline.com
July 28, 2025 at 1:24 AM
I said in this interview that "Marcos admin wants to be recognized for having fixed the economy after the storm that is the coronavirus pandemic” & “expect Duterte allies in the Senate, and even potential Duterte allies in the House to become obstructionists.”
www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/...
www.bworldonline.com/top-stories/...
This is my first Rappler opinion piece and I am happy to have co-written it with Patrick Peralta. Here we talked about what it means to be the opposition in the Philippines and why we should be careful with those who are pretending to be one.
www.rappler.com/voices/thoug...
www.rappler.com/voices/thoug...
[OPINION] Waiting for the real Philippine opposition
Liberal and progressive groups are experiencing a rare moment of return. They must realize Filipinos still hold their votes close to their chests, weighing who the 'real' opposition is.
www.rappler.com
July 20, 2025 at 2:28 AM
This is my first Rappler opinion piece and I am happy to have co-written it with Patrick Peralta. Here we talked about what it means to be the opposition in the Philippines and why we should be careful with those who are pretending to be one.
www.rappler.com/voices/thoug...
www.rappler.com/voices/thoug...