We will not surrender our freedomsToday, Independence Day, we renew our pledge to serve the people, to continue speaking truth to power, and to guard and defend freedom of the press and of expression from all threats.Read More Covering the PandemicRead more Covering the CoViD-19 Pandemic From the Newsrooms: Drop in trust and approval ratings across three branches of government DESPITE the corruption and violence that marred his six years in office, Rodrigo Duterte remained popular until the end of his tenure. He maintained a rating of 70 and above throughout his six-year term, except for the 64 percent rating recorded in September 2021, his lowest. From the Newsrooms: Confidential funds still an issue; Same ballooning of funds observed for Davao City during Mayor Sara Duterte’s term THE HOUSE might have ended plenary deliberations for the 2024 General Appropriations Bill last September 27. But the chamber seems poised to probe further into the controversial confidential funds (CF), particularly those of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and Department of Education (DepEd). From the Newsrooms: Activists reveal abduction in NTF-Elcac’s own presser; Vog and smog cover skies of Manila and Batangas “NAG-BOOMERANG” was how GMA-7 reporter Jun Veneracion described the press briefing that turned the story on the National Task Force to End Local Communist and Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac). On September 19, officials of the task force were set to present Jhed Tamano and Jonila Castro, environmental activists who had... From the Newsrooms: Demand for confidential funds trending across agencies  THE NATIONAL budget discussion is tedious and technical. But it remains a core process that determines how the government fulfills its mandate of public service. The process can be daunting to ordinary citizens, but this should not deter the scrutiny and critical evaluation of the allocations. From the Newsrooms: Retailers, economists hit rice price cap THE MARCOS administration seems to have gotten snagged by its economic policies as the private sector and academe pounced on the president’s decision to cap rice prices, so soon after the same informed community criticized the Maharlika Investment Fund. The president’s announcement of a price ceiling failed to consider... From the Newsrooms: Monsoon rains flood NCR; Price cap on rice SUPER TYPHOON Goring, Typhoon Hanna and the prevailing southwest monsoons drenched Metro Manila, including some provinces in Northern Luzon and Western Visayas with continuous rain. Widespread flooding disrupted the first week of classes and government work. From the Newsrooms: Second teen killed by cops this month; More travel guidelines issued to curb trafficking IN LESS than two weeks after the killing of 17-year-old Jemboy Baltazar made news, another teenager was shot and killed by the police in Rodriguez, Rizal. John Francis Ompad, 15, was shot outside his house on August 20. As told by the local police, the story was reported with... From the Newsrooms: More voices against Manila Bay reclamation; Media focus on constituents in Makati-Taguig dispute needed ANNOUNCING A policy action is mostly hit or miss for the government. As cited by news accounts, environmental groups and fisherfolk associations hailed President Marcos’ verbal order to stop reclamation projects in Manila Bay, saying these were “poorly managed.” From the Newsrooms: Continued high tension from WPS water cannon incident THE IMPACT OF the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG)’s attack against a Philippine vessel continued to draw coverage from Philippine media. On August 5, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that the CCG used a water cannon on a resupply mission of the AFP Western Command to the BRP Sierra... From the Newsrooms: China Coast Guard attack on PH resupply mission escalates threat in West Philippine Sea IN HIS two addresses to the nation, Marcos claimed that the state of the Philippines is “sound” – seemingly oblivious to the severe challenges that face the country. Security in its various aspects leaves much to be desired. « Previous123456…15Next »
