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.

The first step — acknowledging the reading crisis in Filipino students — is done. The next steps must, first, alleviate teachers’ taxing circumstances so they can focus on teaching; second, rebuild the schools’ curriculum and literacy programs; and, third, strengthen teachers’ ranks.

Joel Villanueva is not just a coach of Imee Marcos. He has become your typical politico who has a characteristic aversion to accountability. In November 2016, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales issued an order to dismiss Villanueva from public office for alleged misuse of P10M in PDAF. The Ombudsman concluded that the disbursements were coursed through a dubious NGO for a livelihood activity that turned out to be a ghost project.