Ep. 82: Trillanes says ICC case vs Duterte 'ripe'
Ex-senator Sonny Trillanes explains why the case against Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court is strong.
Oct 17, 2023•41 min•Season 2Ep. 82
Facts First with Christian Esguerra
Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, veteran Philippine journalist Christian Esguerra brings you the relevant facts and explains burning issues on politics and governance — because democracy dies in disinformation.
Last refreshed: ⓘ
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
Episodes
Ep. 81: Why Does Duterte keep defending China?
Former Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio explains the repercussions of ex-President Rodrigo Duterte's pro-China statements and positioning.
Oct 16, 2023•52 min•Season 2Ep. 81
Ep. 80: The end of UniTeam?
Is the UniTeam of the Marcoses and the Dutertes finally over?
Oct 12, 2023•38 min•Season 2Ep. 80
Ep. 79: Duterte defends daughter Sara over confidential funds
Ex-President Rodrigo Duterte comes to the rescue of his embattled daughter over the issue of confidential funds.
Oct 11, 2023•48 min•Season 2Ep. 79
Ep. 78: House removes VP Sara Duterte's confidential funds
Let's talk about the political implications of the House of Representatives' removal of confidential funds by civilian agencies, including those of Vice President Sara Duterte's. Ronald Llamas joins Christian Esguerra
Oct 10, 2023•47 min•Season 2Ep. 78
Ep. 77: VIPs on Philippine roads
What are the limits to courtesy extended to VIPs on the road? Christian Esguerra speaks with lawyer Abigail Valte, former deputy spokeswoman of the late President Noynoy Aquino, who campaigned against a "wang-wang" culture during his term.
Oct 10, 2023•40 min•Season 2Ep. 77
Ep. 76: How bad is the Philhealth hacking?
Christian Esguerra sits down with cybersecurity expert Dominic Ligot on the hacking of data at the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.
Oct 05, 2023•45 min•Season 2Ep. 76
Ep. 75: Why does Davao City have huge confidential funds?
Former Finance Undersecretary Cielo Magno compares the confidential expenses of Davao City and Quezon City and explains how to prevent abuse of such funds.
Oct 04, 2023•49 min•Season 2Ep. 75
Ep. 74: Why BBM and Sara's approval ratings dropped
Why did the approval ratings of President Bongbong Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte drop in the latest Pulse Asia survey?
Oct 03, 2023•58 min•Season 2Ep. 74
Ep. 73: How to prevent abuse of confidential funds
Former Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Tony Carpio joins Christian Esguerra for a discussion on how to prevent abuse of confidential funds.
Oct 02, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 73
Ep. 72: Congressmen remove Sara Duterte's confidential funds
This episode looks deep into the decision of the House of Representatives to reject Vice President Sara Duterte's combined P650-million confidential fund request for the OVP and the Department of Education. Christian Esguerra sits down with former presidential political adviser Ronald Llamas.
Sep 29, 2023•59 min•Season 2Ep. 72
Ep. 71: VP Sara Duterte spent P125M confidential fund in 11 days?
Former Philippine state auditor Heidi Mendoza talks about ways to prevent abuse of confidential funds.
Sep 27, 2023•50 min•Season 2Ep. 71
Ep. 70: PH airport screening officer swallows $300
A Philippine airport security officer was caught swallowing $300 cash in an apparent effort to conceal the money stolen from a Chinese passenger. Christian Esguerra talks to Undersecretary Ma.O Aplasca, administrator of the Office for Transportation Security.
Sep 26, 2023•45 min•Season 2Ep. 70
Ep. 69: PH Coast Guard got only P117M intel fund in 17 years!
Commodore Jay Tarriela explains how the Philippine Coast Guard makes do with little resources, including a total of P117 million in intelligence funds from 2006 to 2023.
Sep 25, 2023•48 min•Season 2Ep. 69
Ep. 68: Martial Law fatigue
Are Filipinos experiencing "Martial Law fatigue"? Christian Esguerra speaks with public historian Xiao Chua on the 51st anniversary of Martial Law.
Sep 20, 2023•44 min•Season 2Ep. 68
Ep. 67: Atty. Barry Gutierrez questions VP Sara Duterte's 2022 confidential expenses
Atty. Barry Gutierrez, former spokesman of former Vice President Leni Robredo, explains why the transfer of P125 million from the Office of the President for VP Sara Duterte's confidential expenses in late 2022 was illegal. He also questions how the amount was spent in a very short time.
Sep 19, 2023•46 min•Season 2Ep. 67
Ep. 66: Chinese poachers destroying coral reefs in West Philippine Sea?
Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio returns to discuss the destructive effect of coral harvesting in Rosul Reef and Escoda Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
Sep 18, 2023•40 min•Season 2Ep. 66
Ep. 65: The Imee Marcos Factor
How does Sen. Imee Marcos figure in the current Marcos narrative under the presidency of her younger brother? Christian Esguerra sits down with political analyst Ronald Llamas.
Sep 17, 2023•43 min•Season 2Ep. 65
Ep. 64: Fact-checking China's propagandists
Retired Navy Rear Admiral Rommel Jude Ong sets the record straight on disinformation being spread by China's propagandists on the West Philippine Sea.
Sep 14, 2023•49 min•Season 2Ep. 64
Ep. 63: Why does the Philippines needs allies vs China in the WPS?
Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio explains why the Philippines needs the US and other allies to deal with China in the West Philippine Sea.
Sep 14, 2023•45 min•Season 2Ep. 63
Ep. 62: Ex-Finance Usec. Cielo Magno speaks up on resignation
Former finance undersecretary Cielo Magno talks about her stint under the Marcos administration, what drove her to resign recently, and why she has no regrets joining the government.
Sep 12, 2023•45 min•Season 2Ep. 62
Ep. 61: New DepEd curriculum removes 'Marcos' in 'dictatorship'
Christian Esguerra speaks with veteran journalist Vergel Santos about the new Grade 6 curriculum that omits mention of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in "dictatorship."
Sep 11, 2023•36 min•Season 2Ep. 61
Ep. 60: Confidential funds new Philippine budget trend?
Christian Esguerra sits down with anti-graft advocate Heidi Mendoza and a budget specialist about the rising number of civilian government agencies seeking confidential funds.
Sep 08, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 60
Ep. 59: Marcos transfers P125M confidential funds to VP Sara in 2022
Christian Esguerra speaks with former Senate President Franklin Drilon, who questioned the transfer of P125 million from the Office of the President for Vice President Sara Duterte's confidential funds in late 2022.
Sep 07, 2023•30 min•Season 2Ep. 84
Ep. 58: President Marcos Jr.'s China strategy
Does the Philippine government have a consistent strategy on the West Philippine Sea? Christian Esguerra speaks with security analyst Renato De Castro
Sep 06, 2023•47 min•Season 2Ep. 58
Ep. 57: Dismissed ex-cop cocks gun vs biker
Christian Esguerra sits down with lawyer Raymond Fortun, who took up the cause of a cyclist harassed by a dismissed ex-cop with a gun over a traffic incident in Quezon City.
Aug 30, 2023•47 min•Season 2Ep. 57
Ep. 56: New China map encroaches on Philippine waters
Former Supreme Court Justice Tony Carpio explains why China's 2023 map is bogus.
Aug 29, 2023•38 min•Season 2Ep. 85
Ep. 55: Ombudsman eyes criminal charges over Pharmally deal
Former senator Dick Gordon talks about the Ombudsman's plan to file criminal charges against former government procurement officials and officers of Pharmally Pharmaceuticals Inc. over an allegedly anomalous deal amounting to P4.1 billion.
Aug 28, 2023•45 min•Season 2Ep. 55
Ep. 54: Baguio City mayor for President in 2028?
Around 100 mayors, led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong of Baguio City, have launched a "movement" for good governance. Is this also a push for Magalong to run for president in 2028?
Aug 25, 2023•44 min•Season 2Ep. 54
Ep. 53: How to counter China's lies on the West Philippine Sea
Christian Esguerra sits down with Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya of the National Security Council regarding China's influence operations on the West Philippine Sea.
Aug 24, 2023•59 min•Season 2Ep. 53
Hosted on Spotify for Creators (Anchor)
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android