CMFR Staff, Author at CMFR

Investigative journalism drives Discaya probe beyond Senate hearings

BILLIONS OF pesos have flowed into flood-control projects over the past decade to favor a small circle of contractors. Many projects exist only on paper, the actual construction proceeding... Read more

Journalism Under Fire: Two cases show media accused of “spin” and paid PR

IN AUGUST 2025, both Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto and Leyte Rep. Richard “Goma” Gomez clashed with the press — with Sotto accusing broadcasters of paid PR and Gomez claiming... Read more

Policy debate on online gambling and social values

FROM MARCH to August 2025, debates in the Upper and Lower houses intensified on the question of whether or not online gambling should be completely banned or regulated, reflecting... Read more

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