Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism

The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) is a nonprofit media organization that focuses on investigative journalism. Established in 1989 by a group of nine Filipino journalists, PCIJ was created in response to the understanding that traditional newspapers and broadcast outlets needed to move beyond just covering daily news.

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Mariahangin Island: A tale of indigenous land, power and resistance - PCIJ.org

2 weeks ago | pcij.org | Redempto D. Anda

In the remote reaches of southern Palawan, a 38-hectare island paradise is at the center of a brewing social conflict. Once home to nearly 200 families of mostly Molbog and Cagayanen descent, Mariahangin island’s population is rapidly declining. Nearly half of its original inhabitants have left, lured by an offer of relocation to other parts of the province.
Redempto D. Anda, Author at PCIJ.org

2 weeks ago | pcij.org | Carmela Fonbuena |Redempto D. Anda

In the remote reaches of southern Palawan, a 38-hectare island paradise is at the center of a brewing social conflict. Once home to nearly 200 families of mostly Molbog and Cagayanen descent, Mariahangin island’s population is rapidly declining. Nearly half of its original inhabitants have left, lured by an offer of relocation to other parts […]
12 dynasties lose gubernatorial races, but 71 of 82 victors still come from political clans

1 month ago | pcij.org | Guinevere Latoza

It’s the same number as before the May 12 elections. But despite the outcomes, the clans did not always win gubernatorial races with ease. A deeper study of the electoral contests revealed continuing resistance to dynastic rule, with some successes even if few. In the next three years, most provinces will remain in the hands of governors who come from political dynasties.
MILF-backed clans defeat Mangudadatus in Maguindanao as dynasties persist in BARMM

1 month ago | pcij.org | Guinevere Latoza

The provinces of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are known for a high concentration of political dynasties. The 2025 election results show that the Alonto-Adiong clan of Lanao del Sur, Hataman-Salliman clan of Basilan, and the Sali clan of Tawi-Tawi remain firmly entrenched. But change has come for Maguindanao, where two branches of the Mangudadatu clan have alternated in ruling the Capitol for the past 15 years. That era has now come to an end.
2025 candidates use news-like Facebook pages to run millions in ads to influence voters

1 month ago | pcij.org | Guinevere Latoza

The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) has identified over a hundred Facebook pages presenting themselves as media outlets but are actually running political ads for national and local candidates in the 2025 elections. These pages have been paying Meta to boost Facebook posts that appear to promote local and national candidates or attack their rivals.
How to vote on May 12: ‘We have a chance to break the grip of political clans’

1 month ago | pcij.org | Guinevere Latoza

It was Holy Thursday. The noise from electoral campaigns was hushed, but no one could quiet the multicolored tarpaulins of politicians, flouncing and flapping as we breezed through the road. “Wala namang binago dito (nothing has changed here),” our tricycle driver told us as we made our way to a public market in a Batangas town in April. Kuya Ramon’s opinions couldn’t be silenced by the campaign ban, either. The May 12 elections was just a few weeks away. He was hoping for some changes in his town.
2025 Elections Blog: Supreme Court urged to compel Congress to ban political dynasties

2 months ago | pcij.org | Guinevere Latoza

A broad coalition of political and civil society organizations and individuals lodged a petition with the Supreme Court (SC), urging Congress to enact a law banning political dynasties in the country. The 1987 Constitution prohibits political dynasties, and the petitioners argued that Congress’s failure to pass an enabling law constitutes a violation of Article II, Section 26 of the Constitution, which explicitly bans them.
Unfinished project: Portraits, stories of women fighting for divorce in the Philippines

Mar 31, 2025 | pcij.org | Rick Rocamora |Guinevere Latoza

It could have been the first documentary photography exhibition on the controversial issue of divorce. I did not know it at the time, but the silent power of the Catholic Church on divorce indirectly reaches the walls of arts institutions. My scheduled online exhibition got a last-minute cancellation. We need to hear the silent voices of those who need the divorce law, their pain and suffering count and should be considered.
Political clans gain, women lose seats in new BARMM interim government

Mar 30, 2025 | pcij.org | Guinevere Latoza

The leadership shakeup in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) expanded the presence of political clans in the interim regional government while reducing the number of seats held by women, critics of the new appointments have pointed out. At least six of the 22 new members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) came from entrenched or budding political clans.
Pro-Duterte disinformation distorts peace situation in Mindanao

Mar 29, 2025 | pcij.org | Guinevere Latoza |Carmela Fonbuena

Social media has been awash with disinformation following the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte, who was turned over to the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague on a warrant for alleged crimes against humanity related to his violent ‘drug war.’Posts commonly twist the legal facts surrounding Duterte’s arrest and detention, portraying him as a victim of injustice.