Facts First with Christian Esguerra

Dr. Aurora Parong, co-chair of the Philippine Coalition for the International Criminal Court, explains what drug war victims' families can reasonably expect from the Hague-based court.

Christian Esguerra sits down with lawyer Gilbert Andres on the ramifications of the Marcos administration's refusal to cooperate with the International Criminal Court.

Pulitzer Prize winner Manny Mogato talks about the groundbreaking Reuters investigative report on Duterte's brutal drug war. The award-winning series includes the story of the "Davao boys," a group of handpicked policemen from Duterte's home city and who scored the most number of "kills" during a 6-month span in Quezon City.

Former fraternity initiate Dominic Ligot tells his traumatic story after quitting a fraternity initiation at the University of the Philippines in the late 90s.

This episode looks into why Filipinos vote based on popularity and money, and what to do with the country's problematic party-list system. Christian Esguerra is joined by political science professor Jorge Tigno.

The fact that the Marcos are back in power, what does this say about the historic Edsa People Power Revolution 37 years ago? Christian Esguerra sits down with historian Joseph Scalice, author of the upcoming book, "The Drama of the Dictatorship."

A lawyer, who is handling at least 6 cases where alleged drug suspects were killed for supposedly putting up a fight during police operations, explains why very few of such cases are being investigated--and even fewer have reached the courts.

Is it really an issue of sovereignty? Or is the Marcos Jr. administration simply defending a political ally in an ICC investigation, which local authorities have refused to conduct?

Former president now congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is rallying colleagues around a resolution defending former president Rodrigo Duterte in the face of an International Criminal Court investigation over his bloody drug war.

Christian Esguerra breaks down the laser-pointing incident initiated by the Chinese coast guard against its Philippine counterparts, with security analyst and international relations professor Renato De Castro.

Former Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio talks about the Feb. 6 incident where a Chinese Coast Guard vessel aimed a military-grade laser at a Philippine Coast Guard vessel near Ayungin Shoal, which is located within the Philippine exclusive economic zone. Carpio says the incident is enough to trigger the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty between Manila and Washington.

This episode talks about the contexts of allowing more American soldiers in Philippine military facilities in light of the tension between Taiwan and China, and Beijing's behavior in the South China Sea.

One of the most pristine and most beautiful islands in the Philippines is under threat, according to environmental groups, because of a controversial nickel ore mining exploration.

Christian Esguerra sits down with vlogger and talent manager Ogie Diaz on why he opted to be vocal and campaign for Leni Robredo in the May 2022 president election.

Loved ones of victims of Duterte's drug war join Christian Esguerra for a discussion on the resumption of the ICC investigation into the former president's alleged crimes. 

The International Criminal Court has resumed formal investigation into Rodrigo Duterte's bloody war on drugs. Christian Esguerra speaks with human rights lawyer Ruben Carranza, who explains the processes at the ICC and the import role of incumbent President Bongbong Marcos in whatever course the investigation will take.

With the former chief of staff of Juan Ponce Enrile temporarily released because of the slow pace of her trial in connection with the pork barrel scam, will many other ordinary inmates also similarly situated be freed as well? Christian Esguerra speaks with Raymund Narag, a prison reform advocate who teaches criminal justice at the Southern Illinois University Carbondale. 

In this episode, Christian Esguerra is joined by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, who called on the executive branch to rethink the continuing presence of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the Philippines, given rampant crimes and the low government revenue coming from the industry.

Why did the Philippine Supreme Court temporarily release lawyer Gigi Reyes, former senator Juan Ponce Enrile's former chief and staff and who, like him, is facing criminal charges in connection with the pork barrel scam?

This episode looks into the alliance between the Marcoses and the Dutertes, one which brought overwhelming success for the two political dynasties in the Philippine elections in 2022. But how long will it last?

This packed episode tackles the onion crisis in the Philippines, the replacement of President Marcos Jr.'s national security adviser, and the challenges posed by the viral bot Chat GPT.

Veteran film director Jose Javier Reyes explains why many Filipino movies don't fare well in the box office, the challenge from online streaming and Hollywood films, and why Filipino viewing habit will never the same again, especially after two years of pandemic lockdowns.

Christian Esguerra speaks with the people behind a "bayanihan" effort to help farmers in the face of the ridiculously high price of onions in the Philippines. Veteran journalist Manny Mogato also provides a historical perspective on military adventurism in the past.

Military and security analyst Jose Antonio Custodio weighs in on the sudden change in command in the Philippine military and whether there are efforts to destabilize the Marcos Jr. administration.

This episode talks about the acquittal of the son of Philippine justice secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla in a drug case following trial that was extraordinarily swift by the country's standards.