Archive - Report

Besides de Lima, no figureheads have emerged, perhaps giving further credence to the AFP’s claim that they are now dealing largely with NPA “stragglers” and “remnants,” whom committed soldiers are pursuing with all their might. If Asia’s longest-running communist insurgency does end under Marcos Jr.’s watch, that victory will not come after the peaceful surrender of (dead) rebel leaders—it will be drenched in blood.

Nineteen senators voted on Aug. 6 not to hold accountable Vice President Sara Duterte of her actions that violated the Constitution and public trust. Their betrayal cut so deeply on one’s sense of values and concept of citizenship.

Many are devastated by what they witnessed in the Senate on Wednesday. But in the same way that Escudero and Marcoleta showed the disdainful images of the Senate of the 20th Congress, the valiant stand of Hontiveros, Sotto, Lacson, Pangilinan and Aquino is a source of inspiration and hope for those who want to have a working and meaningful democracy in the country. Photos by Bullit Marquez for VERA Files.

In the coastal village of Badiang in Bohol province, the community promotes not just stunning landscapes but the rich heritage of the place as well.

The marine ecosystem of Anda town in Bohol that was once severely degraded is showing signs of rebirth, thanks to community-led efforts that combine science and indigenous knowledge.

President Marcos, in his fourth SONA, acknowledged the disappointment over his administration’s performance and vowed to go after corrupt public works officials and contractors over substandard and incomplete flood control projects that caused severe flooding in the past week.

Halfway through his six-year term, only 42 or 25.45% of those promises have been fulfilled while 91 or 55.15% are in progress or still being implemented. The remaining 28 (16.97%) have been stalled, mostly in the legislature, and 4 (2.42%) have failed.

TikTok stans of Alice Guo followed the same playbook observed in previous influence operations for the Dutertes and the Marcoses during elections.

The month of May recorded the least number of state- related cases of violence –so far in 2025- with a total of 45 reported incidents (18 killings and 27 injuries), monthly monitoring of Sandatahang Dahas showed. The biggest factor in the incidents of violence, however, was the May 12 elections with Mindanao as the most volatile area.

Concern over online mis- and disinformation in the Philippines climbed to a record 67% in early 2025 amid a politically charged midterm election season that saw Vice President Sara Duterte impeached on corruption charges and former president Rodrigo Duterte arrested by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity tied to his brutal drug war.

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.

The state-related violence recorded by the Sandatahang Dahas monitor shifts its epicenter from Mindanao to Luzon, with the National Capital Region leading with 11 cases.

At least 242 election-related deaths were recorded in BARMM, said conflict monitoring group, most of which involved loose firearms.

Comelec chairman George Garcia disclosed that only 311 of the 16,000 contingency ACMs were used to replace those that malfunctioned in the May 12 polls.

The early voting hours and assignment of priority polling places still led to inconveniences among senior citizens.

Makabayan senatorial bet Amirah Lidasan said the difficulties she faced while voting reflected the struggles Moro and indigenous communities face.

Fifteen precincts will have extended voting period, but turnout in these precincts will not affect the outcome of the elections, explained Comelec Chair George Garcia.

Voting was delayed by five hours in Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipality, BARMM after residents blocked the entry of election materials and the election board members. The Marine Corps helped ease the situation but only 28% of the 3,465 clustered precincts were opened by noon.

With her precarious ranking in pre-election surveys on senatorial preferences for Monday's balloting, the Villars are pulling every trick in the book for Camille to make it to the top 12.

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.

The Makabayan bloc has a different goal than traditional politicians: build a “people’s opposition” which will go beyond the May 12 elections. Garnering support for key issues they advocate is the impact they want to make.

In the upcoming midterm elections, senate bet and farmer-activist Danilo “Ka Daning” Ramos stands with indigenous women farmers in the fight against synthetic fertilizers and champion organic farming in the Senate.

The loud Marcos-Duterte feud is pushing the plight of the marginalized out of public discussion, senatorial candidate Amirah Lidasan said.

A VERA Files investigation uncovered a network of 45 TikTok accounts that exhibited signs of a coordinated campaign from May to December 2024 to boost Guo’s reputation as a progressive leader and defend her innocence, amid the probe on her alleged links to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) during this period.

As Filipinos grapple with rising food prices and food insecurity, how can Roberto Ballon, Ronnel Arambulo and Danilo Ramos prove that farmers and fishers deserve a spot in the Senate?

The Marcos gold story has since gone viral on Chinese online platforms and has been amplified in the Philippines by supporters of detained former president Rodrigo Duterte, including vlogger Claire Eden Contreras (aka Maharlika) and lawyer Harry Roque. Both have used the allegations to again attack President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and revive rumors about his alleged drug use.

Amid the acrimonious battle between the Marcos and Duterte camps, reelectionist Sen. Imee Marcos has finally chosen whose side to take.

Celebrities always stand a better chance at winning elections. But can fame and popularity translate to real public service?

Sinundan ng VERA Files ang isang mukha ng political dynasty sa Irosin, Sorsogon, at ang pagsisikap ng isang dating community doctor-turned-mayor na hadlangan ang pagpasok nito sa kanyang bayan.

Naging mainit na usapin sa halalan sa Mayo ang muling pagpapa-ayos ngBaguio market at maaaring maging dahilan ito ng pagkatalo ni Mayor Benjamin Magalong sa puwestong hawak na niya ng dalawang termino.