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...
Tag: politics
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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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What to know so far about the courtesy resignations of Marcos Cabinet members
When he called for members of his Cabinet on May 22 to each submit a courtesy resignation, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said: “The people have spoken, and they expect results—not politics, not excuses. We hear them, and we will act.” “It’s time to realign government with the people’s expectations,” the press release from the Presidential News...
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Kontra Daya flags the automated election system used on Election Day
All was not well in the automated election system on Election Day 2025, according to the poll watchdog Kontra Daya. Toward the 7 p.m. close of polling precincts nationwide on Monday, May 12, Kontra Daya said the errors in the automated counting machines (ACM) accounted for most of the problems encountered in the midterm polls....
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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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AI fakery rises, but cheapfakes still rule the race
AI-manipulated videos and audio have emerged as a growing disinformation tactic ahead of Monday’s midterm elections—more frequent, more targeted and more deceptive. Despite their rise, simpler manipulations, or shallowfakes, remain the more widespread threat, continuing to dominate the misinformation landscape flagged by fact-checkers. Out of 35 unique altered claims identified by partners of the fact-checking coalition Tsek.ph during the Feb....
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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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Women politicians claim their space in male-dominated public governance
Councilor Joanne Valdez of Candon City, Ilocos Sur, is not spared the challenges that beset many female officials in local government units in the Philippines, where politics is strongly marked by machismo. “During my first term, I was subjected to catcalling during a photoshoot, and I heard my male colleagues placing bets on me. I...
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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...