VERA Files
Sergio Osmeña Jr., then the mayor of Cebu, persuaded journalist Nestor Mata to spend the night in the city. “Stay behind, little one,” Serging said. “No, I am returning to cover the president,” replied the newspaperman who was covering the trip of President Ramon Magsaysay for the Philippine Herald.
Several netizens and a Facebook (FB) page are spreading links to a counterfeit “CNN Philippines” news report on a hypertension cure deliberately concealed from patients. First posted on Jan. 1, the fake posts all featured a thumbnail that showed images of Department of Health (DOH) officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire. Superimposed on it were a “breaking […]
A photo posted on a Facebook (FB) page claims President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte are giving away free housing and cash assistance to Filipinos online. Not true. On Sept. 14, a photo collage of the Marcos-Duterte tandem and housing units appeared on FB with the caption that read: “PABAHAY + 10K […]
A Facebook (FB) video claimed that Sweden will transfer a batch of self-propelled artillery units to Ukraine. This claim has no basis. FB page Philippines Defense Forces Forum (created on July 30, 2012) posted the two-minute video on April 26, labeling it as “breaking”. The video carried no information or explanation about the supposed military […]
HE’S the president who wants to be mayor.
Text by MARIA FEONA IMPERIAL AND AVIGAIL OLARTE Video by LUCILLE SODIPE CLAD in white shirts and red bandanas bearing the famous peace sign, loyalists of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos clutched the shut gates of the Libingan ng mga Bayani on Nov. 18, the day of the burial. They wanted to be let in […]
For President Rodrigo Duterte, there are no limits when it comes to fighting drugs and crime. Others find him merciless, his words disturbing. His orders: Surrender or risk being killed. In his own words, “I have immunity as president. I will kill you. I will take the law into my own hands.” His inflammatory […]
By DINNA LOUISE C. DAYAO The extraordinary thing about Republic Act No. 10586 or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013 is that it was enacted despite the lack of coherent data on drunk driving in the country. For years, three government agencies have been gathering data on road traffic injuries and deaths: the […]
By ELLEN T. TORDESILLAS LAST Monday, July 25, in his first State- of-the- Nation- Address, President Duterte was applauded when he declared a unilateral ceasefire in the armed conflict with the communist rebels. He said: “To immediately stop violence on the ground, restore peace in the communities and provide enabling environment conducive to the […]
Tinkering with your cellphone while driving is now punishable by law. The Anti-Distracted Driving Bill lapsed into law in July 21. Road Safety Journalism fellow Jacque Manabat reported on the highlights of the new policy last June. Let’s revisit her story here: