Editor's Pick

The evolution of congressional budget insertions

Commentary

|

By Tita C. Valderama

|

Oct 13, 2025

The first time I heard of the term budget insertions was about 30 years ago, during the Ramos administration. It referred to funding provisions for projects or programs identified by congressmen in the General Appropriations Bill. The insertions were over and above what was then called the Countrywide Development Fund.

KEEP READING

Bagong Pilipinas, nasaan na?

Unfit of the Day: Why Duterte’s legal defense is unacceptable

Commentary

|

By Katrina Stuart Santiago

|

Sep 14, 2025

At the very least, this might be worth considering: that for six years under his leadership, from 2016 to 2022, we all actually had a President who had “significant cognitive deficiencies” with a “limited capacity for complex reasoning.” This makes it Duterte’s default. This is Duterte’s normal. And if he was fit enough to be President, then he is fit enough to stand trial.

KEEP READING

Sarah Discaya: Confidently anomalous

Bullit's Eye

|

By Bullit Marquez

|

Sep 2, 2025

All throughout the hearing she comported herself with confidence as she discussed matter-of-factly her irregular dealings with DPWH, without any trace of shame or remorse. Photos for VERA Files by Bullit Marquez.

KEEP READING

Untold secrets of the Discayas

Commentary

|

By Antonio J. Montalvan II

|

Sep 1, 2025

With all their government-funded wealth, the Cruz sisters can easily take flight as British citizens. Is the government acting now to prevent another miscarriage of accountability?

KEEP READING

FACT CHECK

FACT CHECK: Sotto NOT ousted as Senate president

Posts online are claiming that Sen. Vicente Sotto III is no longer senate president and Rodrigo Duterte is free from ICC detention. Both are false.

Arts & Culture Editor's Pick

A day of wine and roses with Pablo Tariman

Whenever I’d complain aloud to Pablo about the financial challenges of being a freelance writer, he would quiet me down by saying, in his serious baritone voice, “It’s the only good thing we know how to do.”

Bullit's Eye Commentary

Families of EJK victims recall brutality and injustice of Duterte’s war on drugs

Fr. Flavie Villanueva: Ang kasinungalingan ay isang uri ng tokhang. Tinokhang na nila ang buhay. Tinokhang na rin ang salapi. Ang katotohan, gusto pa rin nila tukhangin,