CMFR Staff, Author at CMFR

2026 National budget: Headlines hit the big numbers

THE SUBMISSION of the MARCOS administration’s PHP6.793-trillion 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP) on August 7 grabbed headlines, its historic size duly highlighted, a budget consistent with constitutional requirements and... Read more

Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial: Delayed by design

THE IMPEACHMENT of Vice President Sara Duterte is the first in Philippine history. The House of Representatives impeached the second highest official of the land on the grounds of... Read more

The people have a right to know about the VP and her activities

CHEERS TO several media outlets who reported Vice President Sara Duterte’s conspicuous absence and the clueless response of her office when asked about her whereabouts. Read more

A safe SONA, a cautious press

PRESIDENT FERDINAND Marcos Jr. delivered his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28, 2025, filling an hour and 11 minutes with feel-good updates on rice subsidies,... Read more

As floodwaters rose, media failed to focus on flood control

JULY OPENED the rainy season with simultaneous storms hitting the country. Cruising, Dante, and Emong all caused floodwaters to rise rapidly around the city. On July 28, media reports... Read more

Shadow over sabong: How media tracked the disappearances to discover a mass murder

MORE THAN three years have passed since the disappearance of some 32 sabungeros or cockfighting enthusiasts was first reported in the news. With a lack of evidence to move... Read more

Media fuel Castro-Duterte word war but fail to discuss issues

JEERS TO the media for allowing the “word war” between the Malacañang and Vice President Sara Duterte to take up as much space and time as given in their... Read more

Lack of Pride: Under-reporting gender issues

JUNE IS Pride month, dedicated to remember and highlight the Stonewall uprising in 1969 which is regarded as a catalyst for the popular struggle to assert queer rights. Sadly... Read more

Bulatlat’s pride stories lend color to space claimed in literature, faith, and policy

CHEERS TO Bulatlat for its reports that uphold pride, offering a refreshing, radical, and deeply human take on LGBTQIA+ lives and struggles. Read more

Love, property, and low news value: The Duterte distraction

JEERS TO several media for giving undue prominence to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s personal affairs — particularly his private residence in Davao City and a message to his “13... Read more