Facts First with Christian Esguerra

Thousands of flights had to be delayed, diverted, or canceled on New Year's day following the shutdown of the main Philippine airport. What really happened?

This episode revisits friendships and family relations strained by the highly divisive Philippine presidential election in May 2022.

Christian Esguerra sits down with a former agriculture minister about the unusually high price of onions in the Philippines. What's happening and what should the government do about it?

A Philippine trade official says 500 php is enough to buy a Christmas Eve meal for a family of 4 to 5 members. Really?

A transportation reform group joins Christian Esguerra to talk about ways to improve the commuter experience in the Philippine capital city.

We spoke with a volcanologist on some interesting questions raised by congressmen during the confirmation hearing of President Marcos Jr.'s science and technology secretary. More importantly, what should be the priorities of the department?

Former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay talks about a questionable provision, which could supposedly  allow the proposed Maharlika Investment Fund to be used for ill-gotten wealth.

Former Philippine Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio explains why he's against the Maharlika Wealth Fund being pushed by the Marcos Jr. administration

Former state auditor Heidi Mendoza explains why congressmen shouldn't include SSS and GSIS contributions in the proposed Maharlika Wealth Fund.

Christian Esguerra sits down with former Central Bank governor Jose Cuisia Jr., who explains why he is opposed to the proposed Maharlika Wealth Fund.

Two experts join Christian Esguerra to explain how deepfakes are now being used to spread disinformation. Percy Lapid's brother, Roy Mabasa, joins the program in the second half to talk about resuming the slain broadcaster's hard-hitting radio and online program, "Lapid Fire."

A priest who runs a support group for relatives of victims of Duterte's drug war, and a human rights campaigner join Christian Esguerra for a discussion on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s new approach to the drug problem in the Philippines. But will it be any different from Duterte's?

Christian Esguerra sits down with two Leni Robredo supporters on what they think the role of the former Philippine vice president should be for the political opposition under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

This episode explains why such a huge number of COVID-19 vaccine doses went to waste. The second part of the interview talks about the seeming change in approach to the drug problem of Sen. Bato dela Rosa, who was once the main implementor of Rodrigo Duterte's brutal drug war.

A new study reveals the challenges confronting freelance journalists in the Philippines, from uncertain pay to harassment. Christian Esguerra sits down with the author of the study, Maro Enriquez.

Christian Esguerra sits down with Prof. Raymund Narag, a former detainee wrongly accused and later exonerated and who has since devoted his work to reforming the Philippine prison system. He now teaches criminology and criminal justice at the Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Tax expert Mon Abrea joins Christian Esguerra for a discussion on a proposed law imposing tax on digital service providers such as Netflix and Spotify.

Former state auditor Heidi Mendoza explains the nature of confidential and intelligence funds, and why they can be susceptible to abuse.

Join our discussion with Dr. Raymund Narag, a former detainee wrongly accused of a crime and who has since been advocating for prison reforms. He explains why Philippine prisons are unique, for better or for worse, and why "galugad" (periodic sweep and confiscation of contraband) won't be enough to address the deeply rooted problems in the country's prison system.

Does the Department of Justice have a strong case against the suspended Philippine Bureau of Corrections chief, who was tagged as mastermind of broadcaster Percy Lapid's murder?

This episode tackles Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri insistence that media should help project a good image of the Philippines abroad. But does it mean that journalists should downplay thousands of unresolved killings under Duterte?

A group is claiming that the results of the recent Philippine presidential election may have been manipulated. Do they have solid evidence? Listen to this discussion with a former Department of Information and Communications Technology official and a Leni Robredo election lawyer.

Veteran journalist Roy Mabasa talks about the ongoing investigation into the killing of his brother, hard-hitting broadcaster Percy Lapid. 

Three environmentalists weigh in on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s understanding of the climate change problem in the Philippines, based on his recent comments about the need for tree planting and the reality of climate change in the aftermath of tropical storm "Paeng."

Dr. Raquel Fortun, a forensic pathologist, talks about the independent autopsy she did on the body of the supposed middleman, who was suddenly found dead at the New Bilibid Prison, just hours after he was identified by the confessed gunman.