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Timeline of events before the passage of the new vape regulation.

The proposed Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Production Regulation Act removes the two-flavor limit and allows online selling and advertising of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and heated tobacco products (HTPs), prompting health advocates to say that these provisions would entice younger people to try these and get them hooked on what can become a lifetime addiction.

Disregarding the government’s tobacco control program, Congress has ratified a bill that allows younger people to buy and use electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and heated tobacco products (HTPs).

Aware of the health risks of cigarette smoking, the tobacco industry has designed over the years “less harmful” alternatives for smokers: low and tar nicotine devices, filtered cigarettes, smokeless tobacco.

Nearly 17 years after the Philippines became a party to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the first international treaty negotiated under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO), efforts to comply with some of the remaining major commitments are met with even more intensified resistance from the legislature.

In the middle of a deadly health crisis, the tobacco industry scored a win in the country, sticking to a tried and tested playbook to protect its interests.

Iti panagdardaras nga maipasa ti vaping bill,  bumaliktad ti 18th Congress nga awan nga pulos panangdayaw  na ti tradisyon ti lehislatura wenno kortesiya iti agmaymaysa nga kanayon nga kumonkontra nga kaduada iti Kongreso. “ Traditionally, mabalinmi  iti agsaludsod iti sponsor no madama ti report iti bicam…Ti bicameral report ket nabasa kalpasan ti alas nueve idi

Sa klaro kaayong tinguha nga mapaspasan ang pagpasar sa vaping bills, ang 18th Congress nibaliktad sa iyang legislative nga tradisyon o pagtahod sa ilang bugtong kauban nga kanunay nagsupak.

Sa pagmamadaling ipasá ang panukala sa vape, binaliktad ng ika-18 Kongreso ang sarili nito nang walang paggalang sa lehislatibong tradisyon o sa nag-iisang kasamahang mariing tumututol.

In an apparent rush to pass the vaping bill, the 18th Congress reversed itself without regard for legislative tradition or courtesy to a lone consistently dissenting colleague.

Last February 26, 2022, a Filipino researcher from Taiwan FactCheck Center along with two volunteer Filipino students launched a campaign at Taichung’s Our Lady of Immaculate Conception church promoting VERA “The Truth Bot”. The students set up a booth at the church’s entrance, introducing the new service to the clergy of more than 300 people.

In a recent televised address, President Rodrigo Duterte claimed that electricity in the country is "produced by oil." This needs context.

(Second of two parts) With just a little over a month before the May 9 elections, candidates for president and vice president are pulling out all the stops to convince the electorate that they are right for the job.

(First of two parts) With just a little over a month before the May 9 elections, candidates for president and vice president are pulling out all the stops to convince the electorate that they are right for the job.

(Fourth of four parts) In this four-part series, VERA Files Fact Check compiled relevant information about six of the top candidates vying for Malacañang, and their respective vice presidential bets, to help voters make the ultimate decision.

(Third of four parts) In this four-part series, VERA Files Fact Check compiled relevant information about six of the top candidates vying for Malacañang, and their respective vice presidential bets, to help voters make the ultimate decision.

(Second of four parts) In this four-part series, VERA Files Fact Check compiled relevant information about six of the top candidates vying for Malacañang, and their respective vice presidential bets, to help voters make the ultimate decision.

(First of four parts) In this four-part series, VERA Files Fact Check compiled relevant information about six of the top candidates vying for Malacañang, and their respective vice presidential bets, to help voters make the ultimate decision.

The Manila Times columnist Rigoberto “Bobi” Tiglao falsely claimed that the Philippine Star erred in reporting that Vice President Leni Robredo was the most-searched presidential candidate on Google earlier this month.

They don’t do motorcades or rallies with thousands of people in attendance. Instead, presidential candidate Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and his running mate Vicente “Tito” Sotto III prefer engaging with people from different sectors of society.

Presidential candidate Jose “Joey” Montemayor’s claim that the COVID-19 vaccine has a “reverse” effect and exposes people to infection has no basis.

Love filled the air in Pasig City’s business district as thousands braved the scorching summer heat to show support to the presidential bid of Leni Robredo, her running mate, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, and their eight senatorial candidates Sunday.

Presidential candidate Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos claimed that galunggong or round scad, which he stressed was "for the poor," is the fish “easiest to raise.” There is no basis for his claim because research on galunggong aquaculture is still ongoing, and experts have no conclusions on its feasibility.

Presidential candidate Dr. Jose “Joey” Montemayor, who is against mandatory vaccination, claimed that the number of fully vaccinated individuals in the Philippines has not reached 30 million as of early March. This is false.

Lawyer Larry Gadon, who is running for a seat in the Senate for the second time, inaccurately claimed that the biggest wind energy producer in Southeast Asia is in Ilocos Norte.

Human rights groups jointly called on Congress to repeal or "substantially amend" the SIM Card Registration Act on grounds it may put the right of individuals to free speech and privacy at risk.

The Collection of Jane Ryan and William Saunders: Jewelry in Augmented Reality by Pio Abad (b.1983, Manila) and jewelry designer Frances Wadsworth Jones is the inaugural exhibit of 21AM, the new digital museum of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Lawyers, professors, and journalists filed a motion for partial reconsideration anew before the Supreme Court (SC), praying that the magistrates strike down six provisions of the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) of 2020 for “being repugnant to the Constitution and the Philippines’ obligations under International Law.”

Vice presidential candidate Sara Duterte-Carpio has recently refrained from sharing her opinion on the matter of ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal. But two years ago, as Davao City mayor, she expressed support for the country’s largest broadcasting network.

More than 65.74 million Filipinos are expected to cast their votes on May 9 in the country’s first-ever national elections during a pandemic.