Nario, a fisherman and father to two young children, now patrols the beaches of Mariahangin Island at night, joining a vigil of volunteer families. Two years ago, he made a decision that would uproot his family from their ancestral home on this idyllic island in southern Palawan—a decision he has since come to regret. Like...
Author: CoverStory PH (CoverStory PH)
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Celebrity-powered show caps LGBTQIA+ community festivities calling for equality
Rainbow flags dominated the festive ground under the murky sky that burst in a downpour on June 28. At that moment at the University of the Philippines Diliman, Lov3Laban 2025 became more than a drenched march on campus: It was both declaration and living proof of Pride. The rain transformed the biggest festival of the...
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12 dynasties lose gubernatorial races, but 71 of 82 provinces still led by political clans
In the next three years, most provinces will remain in the hands of governors who come from political dynasties. By the count of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), 71 out of 82 winning governors in the May 12 midterm elections are members of political families. It’s the same number as before the May...
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The ‘obese’ dynasties of the Philippines are back, but reform hopes rise for 2028
Seventeen relatives of Luis “Chavit” Singson’s political clan ran in local races in Ilocos Sur province in northern Luzon with a little more than 700,000 people. Although one lost her bid, the Singsons occupy the seats of governor, vice governor, provincial board members, district representatives, city and municipal officials. Six others were nominees in the...
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In Ilocandia, land of ‘mega’ dynasties, 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 president. He was elected in May 2022 in one of the biggest political comebacks in history. It came nearly four decades after a bloodless people’s revolt...
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In Bicol, political clans aiding victims backed projects blamed for flooding
Bicol, home to the majestic Mount Mayon, is among the country’s most disaster-prone regions. It is regularly battered by storms and other calamities that test the resilience of its people year after year. Rogelio Barajas, a resident of Legazpi City in Albay for over five decades, will never forget how Typhoon “Reming” (international name: Durian)...
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When voters say ‘enough’: Dynasties in Leyte, Cainta and Pasig fall from power
(Last of two parts) In congressional districts, cities and municipalities, some dynasties—the Apostols of Leyte, the Felixes of Cainta, Rizal, and the Eusebios of Pasig City—were also dislodged from their perch by neophytes. The octogenarian Sergio Apostol lost to businessman Henry Ong in the congressional race in Leyte’s second district in 2016. It was an...
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Even the mightiest political dynasties fall silent—and fade away
(First of two parts) Some dynasties fade away from politics and public consciousness due to lack of successors, defeats to emerging clans or even “erosion of narrative.” Once among the who’s who in Philippine politics for decades, the Laurels are now a “defunct” dynasty. The Aquinos and Osmeñas are dormant but are also close to...
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Will Baguio voters open the door to a political dynasty?
Talks of political dynasties in Baguio began well before city politicians filed their certificates of candidacy (COC). During the official launch of the Alyansa ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan (ANIM) in Manila on Aug. 24, 2024, Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong declared that political dynasties will have no place in Baguio. “Iba kasi sa Baguio eh. Alam mo,...
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Cordillera’s cultural norms push back against political dynasties
Filipinos could only vote in 1907, and only men were allowed to do so. Filipinos in the United States were permitted suffrage after World War II in 1946. But the Cordillerans who joined the St. Louis Fair in Missouri in 1904 were the first to cast their votes. That being an election year in the...