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The Philippines' Birth Registration Assistance Project that provides free civil registration services to vulnerable groups and indigenous peoples, among others, has been cited by the United Nations at a ministerial meeting in Bangkok last month.

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.

Justice remains elusive for detained human rights activists, including journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, who contends the charges of illegal possession of firearms and financing terrorism against her have yet to be proven, as they continue to languish in jail.

The youth, which is the target of the tobacco industry's so-called novel products, is also being tapped by health advocates to be their partners in the anti-tobacco campaign.

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.

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 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.

These are some scenes inside the Senate plenary hall before the 18-5 vote was taken. Take note of Villanueva’s moves especially the last photo.

There was something in Teves’ cold stare and body movement that reeks of impunity, of someone used to escape punishment.

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.