Benefits for government workers were at the forefront of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s labor-related promises during his third State of the Nation Address last year. But midway through its term, the administration still lags in addressing joblessness in the country.
Midway through his term, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains committed to delivering infrastructure projects “with a heart for people’s comfort, security, and progress.” However, the same challenges continue to hound his administration’s pursuit of “building better more.”
Marcos administration has yet to make significant strides in disaster-preparedness beyond brick-and-mortar solutions in the wake of typhoons supercharged by climate change.
Halfway through his term, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration has yet to hit all of its economic targets but he remains “optimistic” about the country’s “sustained resilience” despite global pressures.
After being silent on any anti-corruption promise in his 2023 State of the Nation Address, President Bongbong Marcos. finally acted on the issue of corruption and good governance in his last year’s SONA. He ordered a ban on all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators.
A Pride March was held at UP Diliman campus on June 28. There was an abundance of color, joy, laughter and most of all, pride. Photos and videos by Bullit Marquez for VERA Files.
When Alice Guo rolled her eyes in Congress, a wave of TikTok “fan accounts” turned that moment into “napindot na si anger”—and helped recast her image just as she faced serious allegations.
Amid this growing push to confront disinformation and AI risks, efforts to equip journalists with new tools also gained momentum. Newsrooms further experimented with generative AI. Rappler launched Rai, an in-house chatbot that guides users to verified information and election explainers. VERA Files deployed VERA, an AI-assisted fact-checking bot, on Facebook Messenger after piloting a tipline on Viber. The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism turned one of its long-form reports into an AI-generated animated video to reach broader audiences.
A major exhibition of Baguio art, Gongs. Smoke. Blood.Earth explores “the history and cultural contexts” of Baguio art since the founding of the Baguio Art Guild in 1986. With the participation of 30 artists at the Ateneo Art Gallery, the exhibit will run until 20 July 2025. Kawayan de Guia and Nona Garcia are guest curators.
The people see an attempt to ignore their desire for accountability and protect Duterte. They are marching and making their voices heard. Photos and videos by Bullit Marquez for VERA Files.
