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
Data
MAP: Updated areas of concern in the 2025 elections
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) released on March 19 an updated list of election hotposts for the 2025 midterm elections. Red areas or places where there are serious armed…
By Guinevere Latoza·March 21, 2025
CAMPAIGN FINANCE
Before the campaign period, TV and radio ads of 2025 candidates exceed P10B before discounts
Daily average of 171 television ads aired in December 2024, when Filipinos were expected to stay home for the holidays.
By Carmela Fonbuena·February 11, 2025
Data
MAP: 43 out of 60 Mindanao lawmakers back impeach bid vs Sara Duterte
More than half of Mindanao lawmakers supported the bid to remove the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, the country's first president from Mindanao. A total 41 out of 60…
By Guinevere Latoza·February 5, 2025
Elections
In Cagayan, a frontline province in West PH Sea dispute, agriculture is the top concern
The dispute over the West Philippine Sea is a national issue more than a local one. 'Iisipin mo ba ang EDCA kung ang important ay maghanap ng makakain mo araw-araw?'
By Michael John Lester T Ruiz·February 2, 2025
Elections
Eyes on May 2025 Philippine elections as China flexes muscles in West PH Sea
A drive down Cagayan’s main thoroughfare from the capital of Tuguegarao to Sta. Ana town takes hours, but the trip offers refreshing vistas of rice and corn fields – and a view of…
By Tj Burgonio·January 31, 2025
Elections
113 out of 149 Philippine cities also ruled by political dynasties
80 city mayors belonging to political dynasties are seeking reelection in May 2025. 'The worst is having a mayor and a vice mayor who are related,” says political reform advocate…
By Guinevere Latoza·January 26, 2025
Data
DATA: PCIJ research on Philippine political clans
PCIJ’s initial scan of candidates who filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) in October shows that at least two dozen political dynasties are aiming for five to 11 seats…
By Philippine Center For Investigative Journalism·January 26, 2025
CAMPAIGN FINANCE
Are candidates funding their own campaigns? Camille Villar, Imee Marcos ads breach P1B
Scions of political clans ramp up spending in a Senate race packed by media celebrities.
By Carmela Fonbuena·January 14, 2025
CAMPAIGN FINANCE
2025 candidates air P4-B worth of TV, radio ads before October 2024 candidacy filing
Senatorial candidates Rep. Camille Villar and Sen. Imee Marcos account for half of the total advertisements aired from January to September 2024. Meanwhile, Camarines Sur…
By Carmela Fonbuena·January 13, 2025
Data
MAP: Areas of concern ahead of May 2025 polls
The Commission on Elections en banc on January 9 approved a list of election hotspots in the May 2025 midterm elections. Thirty-eight towns and cities — placed under the red…
By Carmela Fonbuena·January 9, 2025
CORRUPTION WATCH
Fighting corruption tops voter concerns but Senate bets hounded by scandals lead surveys
Voters’ choices are influenced by personalities, not by issues, says Dennis Coronacion, head of the University of Santo Tomas’ Department of Political Science.
By Gabriel Oliveros·December 22, 2024
Elections
11 of 24 Senate seats could go to media celebrities after May 2025
The rise of media celebrities reflects voters’ increasing dissatisfaction with politicians. Among the media celebrities, however, all but one belong to a political family.
By Nyah De Leon·December 22, 2024
Elections
Who can dislodge political dynasties?
Often, it is a political dynasty that dislodges another political dynasty. However, rare political events and shifts in voter preferences can elevate leaders outside of political…
By Angela Ballerda·December 8, 2024
Elections
71 of 82 Philippine governors belong to political families
Forty-seven of 71 governors belonging to political dynasties are seeking reelection. Meanwhile, 19 sitting governors who are not reelectionists have family members seeking to…
By Angela Ballerda·December 8, 2024
Congress
Political dynasties also swarm the party-list elections
Research by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) shows that 36 out of 54 party-list groups in the current 19th Congress have at least one nominee belonging to…
By Aaron Baluis·December 4, 2024
Bangsamoro
Q&A with Iqbal: ‘It’s more advantageous for us if elections are held in 2025’
MILF's Mohagher Iqbal sits down for an interview with PCIJ executive director Carmela Fonbuena in Cotabato City on November 6. The filing of nominees and candidacies for the May…
By Carmela Fonbuena·November 10, 2024
Bangsamoro
Proposals to delay BARMM polls also seek to change makeup of BTA interim gov’t before May 2025
The proposal has strong backers within the government but also faces many vocal critics. Bangsamoro stakeholders and observers told the Philippine Center for Investigative…
By Carmela Fonbuena·November 10, 2024
Bangsamoro
Amid jostling for power in BARMM, a new breed of leaders steps forward. Will they get their chance?
BARMM opens the candidacy filing period for the region’s first regular elections amid calls to postpone the elections in the autonomous region next year. The Bangsamoro Electoral…
By Carmela Fonbuena·November 7, 2024
Bangsamoro
All systems go for BARMM polls despite postponement calls — in photos
It’s all systems go for the first regular elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The six-day filing of certificates of candidacy (CoCs) and…
By Guinevere Latoza·November 7, 2024
