In this two-part interview, we revisit the New York City property acquired by the Romualdez family – a prominent clan in Philippine politics –which was first exposed during the launch of this podcast. My assignment this week is to understand how the family of former House Speaker Martin Romualdez acquired their wealth.

We speak to Ruben Carranza, who was the commissioner of the Presidential Commission on Good Government from 2001-2004, in charge of litigating and investigating ill-gotten wealth accumulated by former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, his family, and associates – including the Romualdezes.

Now a lawyer with the International Center for Transitional Justice, he tells us about the family’s historical ties to the Marcos dictatorship, their rise to wealth and power, and the mechanisms they used to accumulate and hide their assets.

Stay tuned for Part 2.

If you want to learn more about the New York City property, listen to Episode 1.

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On this bonus episode, we continue our previous conversation with Dr. Ritesh Malik (Episode 4), a doctor from India who left medicine behind to pursue entrepreneurship... and became a millionaire in his 30s.

Ritesh realized he didn't feel fulfilled as a doctor, took a huge leap, and shifted careers. In 2015, he founded Innov8 Coworking, a startup that just four years later, was acquired by Softbank-backed OYO, an Indian multinational hospitality chain. Today, Innov8 is a significant coworking player across India – offering flexible offices in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

As a young leader in India’s digital startup ecosystem, Ritesh now plays an active role in backing over 125 startups, and investing in public equities and real estate. In this extension of our original conversation, we talk about how he chooses to invest his money, his tips on how to become successful, and what mission drives him today.

If you want to listen to the start of the conversation, check out Episode 4.

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app: https://onassignmentwithme.transistor.fm/

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Support independent journalism and this podcast: buymeacoffee.com/natashya_g

To know more about my work, go to natashyagutierrez.com

On this special New Year's episode, we sit down with Dr. Ritesh Malik, an Indian medical doctor turned entrepreneur. Ritesh realized he didn't feel fulfilled as a doctor, took a huge leap, and shifted careers. In 2015, he founded Innov8 Coworking, a startup that just four years later, was acquired by Softbank-backed OYO, an Indian multinational hospitality chain. Today, Innov8 is a significant coworking player across India – offering flexible offices in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru – and Ritesh is a millionaire.

As a young leader in India’s digital startup ecosystem, Ritesh now plays an active role in backing over 125 startups, and investing in public equities and real estate. In this intimate conversation, we discuss his major learnings, the values that guide his life and decisions, and why one of his superpowers is having JOMO or the joy of missing out.

My final assignment of the year is to leave you with some inspiration as you enter 2026.

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app: https://onassignmentwithme.transistor.fm/

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Support independent journalism and this podcast: buymeacoffee.com/natashya_g

To know more about my work, go to natashyagutierrez.com

It has been established that the alleged gunmen of the Bondi Beach massacre on December 14 were in the Philippines just weeks before they killed 15 people in a terrorist attack in Sydney. The father and son duo spent four weeks in the country, but authorities have yet to ascertain what exactly they did there despite unverified reports they received "military-style training."

On this episode of On Assignment With Me, I speak to an investigative journalist who went to Davao City – where the pair stayed. Carmela Fonbuena takes us on assignment with her, as she tells us what she discovered, and why the trip to the southern Philippines left her with more questions than answers.

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To know more about my work, go to natashyagutierrez.com

On this episode, I take you on assignment with me as I report from Bondi Beach after Australia's deadliest mass shooting in nearly three decades. I bring you along as I update you on the latest news, share the mood in Sydney's iconic beach, and speak to a young Jewish Australian who calls Bondi home.

Come and experience what it's like to be... On Assignment With Me.

Subscribe today on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app: https://onassignmentwithme.transistor.fm/

For reels and video episodes, 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

On this first episode, I go solo to introduce myself and explain why I've decided to start this podcast. Then, I break an exclusive story about a luxury property owned by former House Speaker Martin Romualdez – a close ally of the Philippine president and a top government official – who has allegedly been linked to a massive corruption scandal that has rocked the country, accusations he denies. The recent controversy has triggered protests and widespread calls for accountability and transparency, starting with assets of elected officials.

You'll get a front row seat on how I did the investigation, and experience what it's like to be... On Assignment With Me.

Subscribe today on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app: https://onassignmentwithme.transistor.fm/

For reels and video episodes, 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

Coming soon. Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can also send news tips and notes to the host Natashya Gutierrez, and learn more on natashyagutierrez.com.