Facts First with Christian Esguerra

A neophyte senator's position, saying that the middle class "can take care of themselves," has sparked debates online: should they also be given government aid? But first -- why is the Filipino middle class? 

This episode looks into why Vice President Sara Duterte was provided her own personal security unit when the Vice President, like the President, is already guarded by the Presidential Security Group. Is Duterte -- who said the new unit would help in case of "strained relations" between future presidents and vice presidents -- flexing her political muscles before President-elect Bongbong Marcos?

Despite her loss, Vice President Leni Robredo got 15 million votes against President-elect Bongbong Marcos Jr., driven in large part by her so-called "Pink Movement." Will this now be turned into a political party? What lies ahead for Robredo? 

Two generations of political cartoonists -- Pol Medina Jr. of "Pugad Baboy" and Kevin Raymundo of "Tarantadong Kalbo" -- talk about their spontaneous collaboration, political correctness, cancel culture, and what today's "woke" generation needs to understand about political satire and comedy.

This episode looks into the latest Digital News Report on the most trusted news brands in the Philippines, where 73 percent of the online respondents said social media was their main source of news. Of this number, 73 percent said they got their news from Facebook.

A viral video shows an SUV driver hit then run over a mall security in Mandaluyong City. The driver sped off but showed up at the Philippine National Police headquarters -- where he even held a press conference with the PNP officer-in-charge -- much later when he could no longer be arrested without a court warrant. This episode, with criminal law professor Theodore Te, explains why the PNP is bein...

This episode explains the tough work ahead for new senators, including movie actor Robin Padilla, who wants to head the Committee on Constitutional Amendments, a position usually held by a lawyer.

Christian Esguerra sat down with maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal, who explained the strategic importance of Ayungin Shoal to the Philippines, and why China wants to occupy it.

This episode explains how cronies of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. took advantage of the coco levy fund collected from poor coconut farmers, and whether they could still benefit from it 40 years later under incoming President Bongbong Marcos.

In this episode, Christian Esguerra sits down with Fr. Jose Francisco Syquia, chief exorcist of the Archdiocese of Manila, on the construction of the Center for Exorcism in the Philippines, which will also be the first in Asia, partly in response to the rising number of demonic possession cases during the pandemic lockdowns. This comprehensive interview also explains the ministry of exorcism, stri...

This episode explains why the Philippines is considered "patient zero" in the disinformation war and what can be done to fight the worsening problem. Christian Esguerra sat down with Greg Kahailia, Philippine country director of Internews.

In this double-header episode, Christian Esguerra speaks with a policy expert on movie actor and incoming senator Robin Padilla's push for federalism and the plan to have him chair the Senate constitutional amendments committee. Former Comelec Commissioner George Garcia also talks about his short stint with the election commission and his proposed reforms moving forward.

In this episode, Christian Esguerra speaks with broadcaster Erwin Tulfo, who was picked by incoming President Bongbong Marcos Jr. as his Social Welfare secretary. Tulfo responds to critics questioning his background and competence to head the department.

Former Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio welcomes incoming Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s pronouncement that he would assert the Philippines' arbitral victory over China in 2016. But Carpio says it remains to be seen whether the new president would "walk the talk." He also proposes 3 ways to help enforce the ruling, which clarified maritime entitlements in the West Phili...

Journalist Christian Esguerra speaks with Susan Ople, the incoming secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers, on why she was picked by President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and their concrete plans for Filipino workers abroad within the first 100 days of the incoming administration.

This episode looks into the capability and preparedness of some of the incoming Philippine senators, some of whom admitted they would study or enroll in a public administration course before formally occupying their seats in the next Congress. What does this say about these candidates? 

This episode looks into why President Rodrigo Duterte's political dynasty in Davao City won in the recent election despite strong challenges for the mayoralty and the first district's congressional seat. But despite the defeat, the challengers believe a strong, volunteer-driven campaign can eventually topple the family, which has ruled the city for 35 years. 

This episode talks about the plan of incoming Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte to take her oath way ahead of the start of her term on June 30. Christian Esguerra is joined by historian Manuel Quezon III, who talks about concerns that history might be revised in favor of the Marcoses under the new Marcos Jr. administration.

In this episode, political scientist Paul Hutchcroft explains the crucial role of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the Marcos-Duterte alliance, which is poised to win the presidential and vice presidential elections in the Philippines via landslide. Christian Esguerra is also joined by fellow journalists for a discussion on the worsening problem of disinformation and the escalating onli...

With the Marcoses back in power, what will happen now to the Philippine government's search for the family's ill-gotten wealth?

This episode goes deep into the election victory of Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., who will assume the presidency 36 years after Filipinos drove his family out of the presidential palace over years of widespread corruption and human rights abuses.

In this episode, Christian Esguerra lifts the veil on political analysts engaged in questionable practices, such as getting paid by candidates or campaign operators for slanted analyses on TV.

Christian Esguerra sits down with political science professor Julio Teehankee on the worsening problem of political dynasties in the Philippines and how they are expected to influence the outcome of the May 2022 elections.

In his very first live episode, Christian Esguerra sat down with a veteran campaign strategist to better understand how black propaganda has been unleashed during the final stretch of the Philippine presidential election in May. Also in this episode is Mags Maglana, a peace and development worker challenging the Duterte dynasty in Davao City.

Revisit the 1995 Hawaii class action suit where Martial Law victims won nearly $2 billion in damages. But how much of that judgment has been enforced and distributed to the them 27 years later? What will happen to efforts to recover the Marcoses' ill-gotten wealth if the son of the late dictator wins the Philippine presidential election in May? Christian Esguerra sat down with the victims' lawyer...