Land Rights
‘Confusion’ about San Miguel’s Intentions in Idyllic Mariahangin
While SMC denies current interest and calls the situation a "confusion," the company is simultaneously building a massive luxury resort on the neighboring island, complete with a…
By Redempto D Anda·July 23, 2025
CAMPAIGN FINANCE
Top spender Camille Villar reports P179.6-M spending in 2025 campaign
Villar is followed by winning senators Lito Lapid and Pia Cayetano, as well as losing candidates Benjamin Abalos and Abigail Binay. All four reported spending more than P150…
By Carmela Fonbuena·July 3, 2025
Congress
8 in 10 district reps still from dynasties
15 political clans control multiple legislative districts in the Philippines
By Guinevere Latoza·June 30, 2025
Environment
Mariahangin Island: A tale of indigenous land, power and resistance
At the core of the resistance on the island are at least three indigenous families who have lived on Mariahangin for generations, primarily relying on fishing and agar-agar…
By Redempto D Anda·June 15, 2025
Elections
12 dynasties lose gubernatorial races, but 71 of 82 provinces still led by political clans
It’s the same number as before the May 12 elections. But despite the outcomes, the clans did not always win gubernatorial races with ease. A deeper study of the electoral contests…
By Guinevere Latoza·May 22, 2025
Elections
The ‘obese’ dynasties of the Philippines are crowned again, but reform hopes rise for 2028
At least 18 political dynasties won between five and 19 seats in the May 2025 elections, but reform advocates also saw encouraging signs. A few challengers secured victories, while…
By Carmela Fonbuena·May 20, 2025
Elections
How Philippine regions voted: Dynasties prevail but there are glimpses of pushback
Political dynasties again dominated the May 2025 Philippine elections, but a growing anti-dynasty sentiment during the election campaign made an impact “to a certain extent,” said…
By Philippine Center For Investigative Journalism·May 19, 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
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
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
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
Elections
In typhoon-hit Bicol, political clans aiding victims backed projects blamed for flooding
The region is prone to strong typhoons and other disasters. The politicians who are often seen attending to victims’ needs are behind or have allowed government projects blamed for…
By Reinnard Balonzo·April 26, 2025
Drug War
Ang pag-umol kang Edgar Matobato
(Sheila Coronel’s “The Making of Edgar Matobato” was first published by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism on 17 January 2025. This is its Cebuano translation).
By Sheila S Coronel·April 17, 2025
Drug War
Duterte’s ICC arrest is the first domino: Can new leaders rise in the power struggle ahead?
The Philippines has always struggled to hold presidents to account for abusing their power. The political division in the aftermath of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest…
By Carmela Fonbuena·April 11, 2025
Drug War
The lives lost to Duterte’s Drug War
The arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for former President Rodrigo Duterte over crimes against humanity is based on evidence related to the killings…
By Philippine Center For Investigative Journalism·April 10, 2025
Elections
Dismantling a dynasty: Vico Sotto is redefining local leadership
How did Vico Sotto end the Eusebios' rule in Pasig City? Can it be done elsewhere? He bears a popular surname and he's connected to an existing dynasty in Quezon City. But we…
By Arjan Aguirre·April 7, 2025