CAMPAIGN FINANCE
8 Senate bets air TV, radio ads worth at least P1B before discounts
Top spenders Villar, Marcos, and Binay account for one third of the total P24-B spending from January 2024 to March 2025
By Carmela Fonbuena·May 9, 2025
Elections
In land of ‘mega’ dynasties, Ilocos Region, Chavit Singson has 23 relatives running for office
Some of the biggest names in Philippine politics come from the Ilocos Region, including the Marcos political clan of Ilocos Norte. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is now the country’s 17th…
By Tjburgonio·May 6, 2025
Data
Surveys: 2025 Senate race
Here is a visualization of pre-election senatorial race survey data from polling firms Pulse Asia and Social Weather Stations. Journalists and communicators can enter the name of…
By Philippine Center For Investigative Journalism·May 5, 2025
Human Rights
The State of Media Freedom in the Philippines 2025
Fewer journalists were killed but the absence of killings should not mislead stakeholders, as the quality of press freedom must be measured by other valuations, according to the…
By Center For Media Freedom And Responsibility·May 3, 2025
Elections
Labor leaders eye Senate, say rich politicians have not fixed Filipino workers’ woes
On Labor Day, May 1, labor leaders running for the Senate hope to rally support from voters. 'Gamitin natin ang Mayo Uno para itakwil ang political dynasty,' says Leody de Guzman.
By Hazelyn Silverio·May 1, 2025
Elections
In typhoon-hit Bicol, political clans aiding victims backed projects blamed for flooding
The region is prone to strong typhoons and other disasters. The politicians who are often seen attending to victims’ needs are behind or have allowed government projects blamed for…
By Reinnard Balonzo·April 26, 2025
Latest
🔊 PCIJ Read Aloud: Listen to our investigative reports on Spotify
Dive into the stories that matter — now available in sound. PCIJ Read Aloud is the audio edition of PCIJ’s in-depth, data, and investigative reports. Stream our reports on Spotify…
By Philippine Center For Investigative Journalism·April 21, 2025
Drug War
Ang pag-umol kang Edgar Matobato
(Sheila Coronel’s “The Making of Edgar Matobato” was first published by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism on 17 January 2025. This is its Cebuano translation).
By Sheila S Coronel·April 17, 2025
Drug War
Duterte’s ICC arrest is the first domino: Can new leaders rise in the power struggle ahead?
The Philippines has always struggled to hold presidents to account for abusing their power. The political division in the aftermath of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest…
By Carmela Fonbuena·April 11, 2025
Drug War
The lives lost to Duterte’s Drug War
The arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for former President Rodrigo Duterte over crimes against humanity is based on evidence related to the killings…
By Philippine Center For Investigative Journalism·April 10, 2025
Bangsamoro
TRACKER: New BARMM parliament receives marching orders ahead of October polls
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signs law postponing BARMM polls to Oct. 13, 2025
By Philippine Center For Investigative Journalism·April 9, 2025
Elections
Dismantling a dynasty: Vico Sotto is redefining local leadership
How did Vico Sotto end the Eusebios' rule in Pasig City? Can it be done elsewhere? He bears a popular surname and he's connected to an existing dynasty in Quezon City. But we…
By Arjan Aguirre·April 7, 2025
Elections
When voters say ‘enough’: Dynasties in Leyte, Cainta and Pasig fall from power
The Apostols of Leyte, the Felixes of Rizal's Cainta town, and the Eusebios of Pasig City were dislodged from their perch by neophytes.
By Tj Burgonio·April 6, 2025
Elections
Even the mightiest political dynasties fall silent—and fade away
Reformists must seize every opening to challenge entrenched dynasties, according to interviewees of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism
By Tj Burgonio·April 6, 2025
First Person
Unfinished project: Portraits, stories of women fighting for divorce in the Philippines
It could have been the first documentary photography exhibition on the controversial issue of divorce. I did not know it at the time, but the silent power of the Catholic Church on…
By Rick Rocamora·March 31, 2025
Elections
‘Mas mainam palitan ang mga senador’: Survey underdogs who vow to do better on women’s issues
If lawyer Ernesto Arellano is elected senator in May, he will vote to pass a divorce law. He will also convince other senators to vote in favor of the controversial measure…
By Philippine Center For Investigative Journalism·March 30, 2025
Bangsamoro
Political clans gain, women lose seats in new BARMM interim government
The leadership shakeup in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) expanded the presence of political clans in the interim regional government while reducing the…
By Guinevere Latoza·March 30, 2025
Bangsamoro
Pro-Duterte disinformation distorts peace situation in Mindanao
In the days following Rodrigo Duterte's arrest, numerous social media pages falsely claimed that former separatist groups were mobilizing in his support, using unrelated videos of…
By Guinevere Latoza·March 30, 2025
Elections
Cordillera’s cultural norms push back against political dynasties
The Cordillera region remains largely rooted in its communal and participatory indigenous forms of governance. Where political dynasties exist, they are generally ‘thin’—except in…
By Frank Cimatu·March 28, 2025
Elections
Will Baguio voters open the door to a political dynasty in the May elections?
Outgoing Baguio City Rep. Mark Go is running for mayor, while his wife Soledad is seeking to succeed him in the House of Representatives. This is a first for the city’s voters, who…
By Frank Cimatu·March 28, 2025
Latest
LTFRB memo orders ride-hailing apps, operators to equally absorb fare discounts
Transport leader and former Grab driver Leonardo de Leon Jr. expressed disappointment over the decision, however. 'Non-negotiable sa amin na ipakarga sa driver/operator ang…
By Guinevere Latoza·March 25, 2025
