Matters of Fact - March 22, 2021

In this episode, Christian Esguerra tackles the country's COVID-19 response, with more restrictions back in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces as we all struggle to contain a raging pandemic that's showing no signs of slowing down. Why did we come to this despite implementing one of the longest lockdowns in the world since last year? How much of this has to do with our individual complacency or government incompetence?

He also talks about this effort to once and for all unite the political opposition against whoever President Rodrigo Duterte would field in next year's presidential election. Can the opposition find a candidate strong enough to counter Duterte's populist narrative, which is being tested with the way he has been handling, or perhaps mishandling, the government's pandemic response? And what if Duterte himself runs for vice president?