Facts First

This week's podcast looks into the pains and gains of the new Bangsamoro government under the leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the largest Muslim rebel group in the Philippines. Is time running out for crucial reforms before the 2022 elections? Christian Esguerra sits down with Chief Minister Murad Ebrahim in this #BangsamoroSeries episode.

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President Rodrigo Duterte was a no-show in a crucial Cabinet briefing amid the onslaught of a super typhoon, prompting widespread criticisms online. This episode examines leadership during calamities and the Philippine government’s disaster response policies with Francisco Magno, former director of De La Salle University’s Institute of Governance.

This episode looks into the worrisome provisions of the Philippines’ new law against terrorism, following the release of its implementing rules, and why it can also be used to crack down on free expression and legitimate dissent. Human rights lawyer Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno joins Christian Esguerra.

The Philippines’ leading forensic pathologist, Dr. Raquel Fortun, bares her frustrations over the conduct of police investigations, and why the international community should now step in and investigate Duterte’s drug war.

A botched term-sharing deal on the House speakership threatens to delay the entire Philippine budget. Political science professor Julio Teehankee joins Christian Esguerra for a deep dive into the lack of independence of the House of Representatives, especially under a leader like Rodrigo Duterte.