Courts, law and justice
‘We want the trial to start’: What happens now to ICC’s probe into Duterte’s drug war?
Human rights lawyer Kristina Conti, counsel of the families of drug war victims, said ICC’s decisions are hard to predict because its actions are highly compartmentalized. What is…
By Aie Balagtas See Photos By Raffy Lerma·March 28, 2024
Data
Philippine rice farmers wish for set price amid chaotic rice value chain
The PCIJ traced how prices were set in the market during the rice shortage season in 2023. We found that farmgate prices increased by at least 80% to as high as 190% from farmgate…
By Leilani Chavez·March 21, 2024
In Depth
Philippine power transmission monopoly NGCP questions rate review amid calls for refund
Delays in the rate review process mean the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines will continue to charge transmission rates that critics have described as ‘excessive.’
By Elyssa Lopez·February 6, 2024
Explainer
NGCP told to ‘practice discipline’ to protect consumers
Energy industry regulators are urging utilities, especially monopolies like the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, to charge only reasonable expenses to consumer…
By Elyssa Lopez·February 6, 2024
Explainer
What is the rate reset process?
In 2009, the ERC introduced a regulatory methodology and a process to reset rates for power distribution utilities and the NGCP that follows a “performance-based regulation” (PBR)…
By Elyssa Lopez·February 6, 2024
Energy Transition
In 2023, Marcos Jr.’s administration oversaw the expansion of renewable energy and fossil fuels
Talks at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or COP 28 in Dubai may influence the government’s energy plan, which is expected to be released before the end of the…
By Elyssa Lopez·December 20, 2023
Explainer
Draft energy plan calls for continued dependence on fossil fuels, dev’t of nuclear power
The draft PEP, as shown in a 2023 Climate Analytics report, presented two energy scenarios: a reference scenario and a clean energy scenario. The reference scenario assumes current…
By Elyssa Lopez·December 1, 2023
Data
Smartmatic bagged election contracts totalling at least P25 billion over the last decade
Comelec announced Smartmatic’s disqualification from ‘all procurement’ after bagging contracts worth at least P25 billion in the country’s last five elections, according to data…
By Cherry Salazar·November 29, 2023
Explainer
Power grid operator NGCP billed P2.4 billion worth of CSR, PR expenses to consumers
Since January 2023, the Energy Regulatory Commission has held 14 hearings to determine how much the NGCP should charge customers. The result of the investigation could mean refunds…
By Elyssa Lopez·November 6, 2023
In Depth
At least 6 Marcos donors in 2022 polls given gov’t posts
His latest appointee, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., donated P30 million in cash to his political party Partido Federal ng Pilipinas.
By Elyssa Lopez·November 3, 2023
In Depth
Votes in 2023 BSKE sold up to P40K; Comelec urged to see prosecution of vote-buying cases through
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is preparing to file vote-buying charges against 46 candidates out of 168 reports it has received so far in the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang…
By Cherry Salazar·October 31, 2023
Investigative
Barangay with 2 residents prepares for elections; it has 210 voters
The two registered residents do not include the barangay chairman and seven councilors. The chairman, Adelino Fausto, is a resident of the neighboring town of Malabon.
By Elyssa Lopez·October 28, 2023
Disinformation
Philippines confronts unlikely adversary in SCS row: Filipinos echoing ‘pro-Beijing’ narratives
There's a small but vocal group of Filipinos echoing pro-Beijing narratives. Security officials fear that the public, who like to use social media and have shown vulnerability to…
By Camille Elemia·October 23, 2023
In Depth
‘Kung hindi ka makakauwi, sino ka?’ There’s no way home for some residents of 4 Marawi villages
The city government says parts of Marawi villages Datu Naga, Datu sa Dansalan, Dansalan, and Sabala a Manao are government property. Residents may not be able to return to what…
By Raizza Bello·October 17, 2023
In Depth
6 years after Marawi siege, water woes and smelly septic tanks
Marawi’s former battle area was finally connected to electricity this year. But there’s still no water, making reconstruction activities difficult and hampering the return of…
By Carmela Fonbuena·October 17, 2023
Explainer
Best practices: 5 community projects barangay officials can replicate
The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) spoke with academics and advocates and compiled some impactful programs that were implemented at the barangay level.
By Cherry Salazar·October 11, 2023
Explainer
Why you should vote on Oct. 30: Experts identify 5 biggest responsibilities of barangays
After several postponements, the barangay elections are finally pushing through this month. Experts weigh in on why the public should care about the smallest political unit in the…
By Cherry Salazar·October 11, 2023
