In this first episode of my new podcast, I talk briefly about what comes next after my departure from Human Rights Watch. But more important, I provide some updates on the current political climate in the Philippines, why Vice President Sara Duterte is poised to win the presidency in 2028, and, finally, the dismal human rights record of the Marcos administration, some “improvements” notwithstanding.

In this audio op-ed, Facts Matter Philippines outlines the harms that will be caused by the disinformation campaign against Comprehensive Sexuality Education led by former chief justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and the conservative religious coalition Project Dalisay. By spreading false information, they managed to pressure Filipino politicians into backing out of the pending teenage-pregnancy bill in the Philippine Senate.

In Episode 9 of The Weekend, Inday and Caloy tackle three subjects: The watered-down sexuality education bill, the return of Donald Trump and how it affects Filipinos, and the Philippine government's stance on the ICC's investigation into Rodrigo Duterte's "crimes against humanity."

12:20 DOJ says Marcos government will now cooperate with the ICC

Children and youth in the Philippines face all sorts of risks as they explore their sexuality. These risks to their health and well-being are caused by various factors, among them lack of education about their own bodies. Sex education is, thus, extremely important. But why are faith groups and conservatives so opposed to the idea of equipping our children with the necessary, age-appropriate knowledge about their sexuality, to the point that they're willing to keep children in the dark about themselves?
In EP8 of The Weekend, Inday Espina-Varona and Caloy Conde discuss the opposition by faith-based groups in the Philippines to sexuality education and how these conservative groups and individuals use disinformation against it.

In this IN CONTEXT audio oped, #FactsMatterPH goes back to the time when US President Jimmy Carter, who recently passed away at age 100, tried -- but largely failed -- to address the human rights crisis in the Philippines under the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the father of the current Philippine president.

In this podcast, the first of our IN CONTEXT audio opeds, #FactsMatterPH delves into the corrosive effect of political dynasties on Philippine democracy and its institutions.

In this episode of #FactsMatterPH, Joan Carling, the Igorot champion of Indigenous rights, talks about winning the Right Livelihood Award – also called the “alternative Nobel Prize” -- and decries the continuing attacks against tribal communities. She also warns against the misuse of climate change to advance “green colonialism.”

Broadcast journalist Atom Araullo talks to #FactsMatterPH about the recent court ruling on his civil suit that found his red-taggers liable.

In Episode 7 of The Weekend, Inday and Caloy tackle quite a few subjects: the hoopla over the national budget after the bicameral committee "fixed it," Mary Jane Veloso finally comes home, the continuing atrocities in Gaza, the quadcom's recommendation to file crimes against humanity charges against former president Rodrigo Duterte. It was quite a week but Inday , the Ilongga, and Caloy, the Ilonggo food addict, finished the conversation with their own takes on the brouhaha over Hapag's version of the beloved batchoy.

In this episode, #FactsMatterPH talks to lawyer Ted Te, former spokesperson of the Supreme Court and the Metro Manila coordinator of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG). As you shall see in the highlights below, Ted has insights about the legal profession and how to make it work for those who need justice -- and "katarungan" -- more, particularly poor Filipinos whose access to justice is severely limited.