Apology

“I'm not going to apologize for my success. How I live is no secret.”

—Ed Schultz

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

IT would have looked good for his family and father if Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos faced the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) in a live stream instead of executive session which was hidden from public.

Anyone accused of being involved in flood control project scandal shouldn’t be afraid to livestream their performances during the ICI hearing if they are really deep-eyed, profoundly clean and immaculate like Caesar’s wife.

We aren’t saying Rep. Marcos isn’t clean because he chose the executive session over an open face-off. He may be guilty or not guilty. Nobody knows, so far.

What we are trying to emphasize here is total transparency, not half-transparency or transparency with condition.

A request for executive session may be a safer option, but it does not make Rep. Marcos and all others with similar tactic ballsy and indomitable.

 

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THE core of a genuine apology is “I’m sorry” or “I apologize.”  It’s the stake in the ground to communicate that we truly regret our behavior and wish we had acted differently.

No apology is complete without it.

Leaders who apologize aren’t necessarily weak, saying “I’m sorry” does not make anyone—leaders included—namby-pambies.

Rev. Deb Koster said an apology takes great courage. It is not for sissies to admit how we have hurt others and to ask for forgiveness. Apologizing involves claiming ownership over how we have intentionally or unintentionally brought pain into someone’s life. Being willing to face someone we have hurt and to ask to restore the relationship takes a special bravery.

 

 

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THE apologies made recently by Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for the casualties caused by Typhoon Tino in Cebu and for the pain the public has experienced due to a large corruption scandal can’t be compared to the apology made by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during the “Hello Garci” tumult.

Mrs. Macapagal-Arroyo’s “I’m sorry” was more personal after she was caught calling a Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner in the aftermath of the 2004 presidential election.

She was embroiled in the scandal involving wiretapped recordings, or "tapes" that allegedly captured her speaking with the Comelec official about manipulating election results to her favor. It was ugly and the controversy destroyed her reputation

 

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In November 2025, during a situation briefing in Cebu, President Marcos Jr. stated he was "very, very sorry" for the high number of casualties and widespread destruction caused by Typhoon Tino (international name Kalmaegi).

He acknowledged that many victims were swept away by quick, strong flash floods and promised government assistance to the affected families.

In early December 2025, amidst a major corruption scandal within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Marcos apologized to the people who were suffering because of it.

He described the situation as a "cancer" that required major "surgery" to fix, a painful process he felt was necessary for the country's long-term health.

 

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Erika Anderson of Forbes suggested that once we said what we regret about our actions or words, we must not water it down with excuses. 

That can blow the whole thing. The former manager of one apartment building once said to Anderson, “I’m sorry we haven’t gotten back to you about your security deposit, but you have to understand we’ve got hundreds of tenants.” 

She said, “I definitely didn't feel apologized to – in fact, I felt he was telling me I was being inconsiderate to hold him accountable! Just let the apology stand on its own. “

“I’m sorry we haven’t gotten back to you about your security deposit.”

Say how you’ll fix it, Anderson suggested. This seals the deal. If we genuinely regret our words or actions, we’ll to commit to changing. This needs to be simple, feasible and specific. “I’m sorry we haven’t gotten back to you about your security deposit. We’ll have an answer to you by this Friday.”

Let’s do it, she added. I know some people who don’t have a hard time apologizing but seem to have a hard time following through on their apologies. If you apologize and say you’re going to behave differently and then don’t – it’s actually worse than not having apologized in the first place. When you don’t follow through, people question not only your courage, but also your trustworthiness.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)

 

 

We aren’t sore losers

“I've always been a poor sport and a sore loser...any other behavior might encourage a repeat performance.”

―Josh Stern, And That’s Why I’m Single

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

WE are happy with the position made by the Miss Universe Philippines (MUP) on the controversy that recently rocked the Miss Universe 2025 pageant.

In staying away from people or groups that lambasted the crowning of Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch, this year’s Miss Universe pageant winner in Bangkok, we are showing the world the Filipinos aren’t bitter and cheap.

In fact, we stood ten feet tall when Miss Universe third runner-up Ahtisa Manalo recently made her triumphant return to the Philippines without saying a negative word about the pageant.

Instead of becoming part of the problem, the Miss Universe Philippines organization opted to become part of the solution by asking pageant fans and supporters to refrain from negativity and, instead, focus on understanding as tensions remain high in Bangkok two weeks before the 74th Miss Universe competition.

 

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“While recent incidents have stirred strong emotions, responding with negativity or calls for cancellation only divides our community. We encourage understanding and positivity to uplift the women involved and strengthen the pageant,” the Miss Universe Philippines organization wrote in a social media statement to address the furor, calling for a shift in perspective.

MUP also denounced the “disparaging remarks about Thailand and racial stereotyping of Asians by a former Miss Universe” without mentioning names. (Pageant sites have been reposting a livestream video posted by former Miss Universe Alicia Machado on her page, where she allegedly referred to Thais, and Asians in general, using racial slurs. The video was supposedly posted following the walkout controversy.)

It added: “Insults and slurs have no place in the Miss Universe community, which stands for compassion, education, and inclusion.”

MUP said it supports pageantry’s “power to inspire, transform, and unite. Instead of toxicity, let us choose dialogue, understanding, and progress. Mistakes do not define the future; compassion, respect, empowerment and understanding do.”

 

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It asserted that the Miss Universe platform stands for “international unity, women’s empowerment, and breaking barriers to foster an inclusive society.”

Concluding its statement, MUP expressed its support to this year’s host country: “We wish the great nation of Thailand success in hosting this year’s pageant.”

It never happened in the history but the 2025 Miss Universe controversy was about multiple events, including a public reprimand of Miss Mexico that led to a contestant walkout and judge resignations, with one judge claiming the pageant was rigged.

Also, other issues were about the owner of Miss Universe's parent company being under investigation for alleged organized crime connections and financial problems at the parent company.

The head of Miss Universe Thailand publicly berated Miss Mexico Bosch, for not participating in promotional activities during a livestreamed event. One thing led to another, and Miss Mexico was escorted out by security and several other contestants walking out in solidarity.

 

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It worsened when two judges resigned from the competition before the final. One judge, Omar Harfouch, left and accused the organizers of having a secret, pre-selection panel for finalists, which the organization denied. The other judge cited "personal reasons".

Harfouch's claims of a secret panel suggested the competition was rigged, though the organization refuted this, stating the process was transparent.

The owner of the Miss Universe Organization, Raul Rocha Cantu, is being investigated by Mexico's Attorney General's Office for alleged connections to an organized crime network.

The parent company of Miss Universe has faced financial difficulties, including missing loan repayments, a sharp drop in its share price, and filing for bankruptcy rehabilitation.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)

 

 

 

Slow but not sure?

“You have undertaken to cheat me. I won't sue you, for the law is too slow. I'll ruin you.”

—Cornelius Vanderbilt

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

WE wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt, but it has become obvious and crystal clear the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and the Office of the Ombudsman, Department of Justice (DoJ), including the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), are really slow as snails.

Pardon us, but aren’t they supposed to announce the indictment of those involved in the flood control project anomalies every week if they aim to lock the criminals in jail before Christmas Day or during the Yuletide season as promised?

It seems the just concluded Trillion Peso protest did not bother the ICI, Ombudsman, DPWH, DoJ, or the entire Marcos Jr. administration that promised the Filipino people to jail some of the big names (not just the small fries) two weeks from now.

Instead of expediting the indictment of the sharks and reptiles, the big fishes so-called, to catch up for the time wasted, nothing has been heard about the high-level arrest this week.

It’s been more than a week since they announced with a big bang the issuance of warrant of arrest by the Sandiganbayan against DPWH officials and Zaldy Co’s employees in Sunwest, a construction firm linked to various “ghost” and substandard flood control projects in Oriental Mindoro.

 

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So far, no follow up. No second batch whatsoever. People were expecting a second wave of arrest, this time involving prominent names in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

If they target “more or less” 200 flood control project criminals, one batch of accused per week is not enough if they want to satisfy the people’s expectations.

Each week, there must be at least a series of issuances of warrant of arrest if they plan to gather at least half of the “more or less” 200 targets.

We have reason to badger the Marcos Jr. administration because most of the solons and contractors have already been named and identified in the past Senate and ICI hearings.

These punks, especially the senate clowns, have even challenged the government to file a case against them as they maintained innocence.

They were listed in the affidavits of witnesses and even mentioned during those hearings. No need for authorities to find out who they are; all they needed to do was to make follow-ups using their investigative tentacles and other resources to nail the coffin.

The Sandiganbayan has issued arrest warrants against Co and 17 others. After that, the hemorrhage appeared to have stopped. What’s next?

 

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One of the biggest political stories that have been buzzing in Iloilo these past days was the reported split or forthcoming slip between the Biron political clan and Dumangas Vice Mayor Ronald “Onal” Golez.

Mayor Braeden John "BJ" Biron and Vice Mayor Golez were in tandem when they won their respective seats as members of the Nacionalista Party (NP) in the 2025 elections.

Biron is the son of the political clan’s patriarch, Iloilo 4th district Rep. Ferjenel.

The feud reportedly sparked after Golez questioned Biron’s 2026 budget proposal and called the P4 million recently spent for the Ben&Ben concert "extravagant or excessive."

This reportedly prompted the congressman, the mayor’s father, to announce: "𝘛𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺, 𝘮𝘨𝘢 𝘬𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘸𝘢, 𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 1 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘖𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘎𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘻” during the municipal government's regular flag-raising ceremony.

"𝘛𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘢𝘯 𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘺𝘰, 𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘬𝘴𝘺𝘶𝘯𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘢 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘢 2028. 𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘵𝘢 𝘢𝘬𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘬𝘰𝘯 𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘰𝘳.”

There were reports the genesis of the two camps’ misunderstanding did not erupt in Golez’s decision to question the P4 million budget for the concert, among other reasons reported earlier in the media.

“There is more than meets the eye,” a local political analyst sighed. “Let’s wait for the next episode.”

There are those who believe “the quarrel can still be saved since the next local election is still far away.”

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)

 

 

We actually have more Rhodoras

“When the will defies fear, when duty throws the gauntlet down to fate, when honor scorns to compromise with death - that is heroism.”

—Robert Green Ingersoll

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

THE heroism of Rhodora Alcaraz, the Filipina domestic helper who saved a baby during a recent Hong Kong fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, was extraordinary but not new.

We salute our kababayan Rhodora, 28, for making us all proud despite the political turmoil back home. We have plenty of Rhodoras who end up working abroad after being ignored and neglected by our own government.

Filipinos all over the world have been known to be heroes and brave especially during critical moments.

When the rest of the world runs away, we come in and stay during matters of life and death.

We have heard countless stories of Filipino carpenters, nurses, drivers, caregivers, construction workers, among other OFWs, who impressed their employers by staying with them through thick and thin during disasters; some of them even sacrifice their lives to save their employers.

Rhodora, who had only recently arrived in Hong Kong, became bigger than life in the eyes of the world when she shielded her employers' three-month-old infant in a wet blanket while they were trapped for hours before being rescued by firefighters.

She is being celebrated for her courage and is being called a "modern-day hero" by many, including Hong Kong authorities.

Rhodora made her family proud and transform all of us ten-feet tall all over the globe as news of her heroism spread like prairie fire these past days.

 

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For those who missed the news. Rhodora reportedly protected the infant by cradling the baby in a wet blanket while trapped in a smoke-filled room for hours before her rescue.

According to latest reports, she survived the horrific incident but remained in the hospital. Philippine government officials and a senator have visited her to praise her heroism and offer their support.

For her gallantry, Rhodora has been lauded by the Filipino community and her former employer as a symbol of courage and compassion.

The Philippine Overseas Labor Welfare Administration (OWWA) stated in an online post that officials had visited Rhodora in the hospital, praising her as a true heroine of our time and a model of care and courage for Filipinos overseas. 

Representatives from the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong, the Department of Migrant Workers, and the Mission For Migrant Workers also visited Rhodora.

Her story has for some reportedly highlighted the enduring role of the city’s hundreds of thousands of domestic helpers who cook, clean and care for the young and elderly, often living in cramped spaces and earning modest wages in one of the world’s most expensive cities.

 

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Here’s how The Print chronicled Rhodora’s heroism:

Panicked audio messages Alcaraz sent to her sister during Wednesday’s blaze – that killed at least 151 people – went viral after they were shared online by family and friends trying to locate her in the chaotic aftermath.

“I’m feeling very weak. I can’t breathe,” she said in one of the clips, sobbing and struggling to speak.

Rhoda Lynn Dayo, Alcaraz’s former employer, was among those trying to reach people in Hong Kong to help establish her whereabouts, she said.

“I truly expected that she wouldn’t be found anymore. So I prayed: Please God … Perform a miracle, Lord,” she said.

Alcaraz, known by the nickname Jackie, had cared for Dayo’s children from the age of 17 for more than four years back in the Philippines.

 She was so trusted by the family that Dayo said she was comfortable leaving her children with Alcaraz even when she had to travel to the U.S.

“The way she cared for the kids was different – there was real love … I don’t doubt that she would put her life on the line for the child she was caring for,” Dayo said.

 

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Why it feels like everyone is sick right now In late fall, it seems like everyone is under the weather. Between RSV, the flu, the common cold and COVID-19, viral season is hitting hard in the East Coast.

“When you’re not feeling your best, CityMD is here for you — no appointment needed. Our providers can test, diagnose and help you start feeling better fast,” said the email I received from CityMD.

Why it’s important to get checked out: Accurate diagnosis: We must know exactly what’s causing our symptoms. On-site testing: We get tested for flu, COVID, strep and more. Right treatment: We can find out if we need medication like antibiotics.

We can prevent sickness by staying healthy by washing our hands often, getting plenty of sleep and coming in for our yearly flu shot.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)