Elections
Bersamins are back: Interior Cordillera rejects dynasties, but they thrive in Abra, Apayao
The Cordillera region, rooted in indigenous forms of governance, showed in this election that it continues to largely reject political dynasties. This is the case in four of its…
By Michael John Lester T Ruiz·May 13, 2025
Elections
All NCR cities elect candidates from political dynasties
Metro Manila residents woke up to familiar names of leaders – all members of dynasties – sweeping the mayoral races after Monday’s midterm elections. Ten out of 16 incumbent mayors…
By Tj Burgonio·May 13, 2025
Data
MAP: Bong Go dominates Mindanao; Bam Aquino leads in most of NCR, Central and Southern Luzon
Partial and unofficial results of the senatorial race as of 2 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13, show re-electionist Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go dominating the elections in Mindanao…
By Carmela Fonbuena·May 13, 2025
Elections
Reports of technical glitches, delays mar midterm polls; violence in some areas
Reports of violence, and complaints of long queues due to voting machine malfunction and discrepancies between voters’ choices and printed receipts marred the conduct of midterm…
By Tj Burgonio·May 12, 2025
Elections
PWDs, senior citizens and pregnant women cast their votes— in photos
The Commission on Elections has introduced measures to improve electoral access for vulnerable sectors, including early voting for persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and…
By Philippine Center For Investigative Journalism·May 12, 2025
Elections
Filipinos head to polls to decide the direction of the nation
Over 68 million Filipinos are headed to the polls on Monday, May 12, for midterm elections that will shape the direction of the country amid internal political turmoil and regional…
By Carmela Fonbuena·May 12, 2025
CAMPAIGN FINANCE
Camille Villar leads in Facebook ad spending, too
Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar topped ad spending on Facebook, a popular social media platform in the Philippines. She spent over P34 million to boost her posts from June 2024 to…
By Philippine Center For Investigative Journalism·May 12, 2025
Elections
Party list groups linked to political dynasties lead 2025 race
Concerns have grown over how party list elections — originally designed to empower marginalized and under-represented sectors — have been co-opted by political dynasties. The…
By Sean Angelo Guevarra·May 11, 2025
Disinformation
2025 candidates use news-like Facebook pages to run millions of pesos in ads to influence voters
These pages are manufacturing popularity for the candidates, says media scholar Fatima Gaw. Unlike crude disinformation, these operations focus on manipulating the source rather…
By Guinevere Latoza·May 11, 2025
First Person
How to vote on May 12: ‘We have a chance to break the grip of political clans’
What if all the candidates belong to dynasties? What if those dynasties are unopposed? PCIJ researcher Guinevere Latoza, a youth voter, asks reform advocates to weigh in on these…
By Guinevere Latoza·May 10, 2025
AI Accountability
2 PCIJ series named finalists in SOPA Awards 2025
Two investigative series by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) were named finalists in the 2025 Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) Awards, a prestigious…
By Philippine Center For Investigative Journalism·May 10, 2025
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
