IBON Foundation executive director Sonny Africa questions the new Philippine president's understanding of how the economy works in the middle of soaring commodity prices.

IBON Foundation executive director Sonny Africa questions the new Philippine president's understanding of how the economy works in the middle of soaring commodity prices.

Ep. 91: 'Does Marcos Jr. understand the economy?'

Ambeth Ocampo

Prof. Ambeth Ocampo, one of the most popular and highly respected historians in the Philippines today, is under attack from internet trolls and Marcos loyalists for defending the study of history following a female celebrity's claim that history is just like "chismis" (rumor). You wouldn't want to miss this comprehensive interview with Ocampo by journalist Christian Esguerra.

Prof. Ambeth Ocampo, one of the most popular and highly respected historians in the Philippines today, is under attack from internet trolls and Marcos loyalists for defending the study of history following a female celebrity's claim that history is just like "chismis" (rumor). You wouldn't want to miss this comprehensive interview with Ocampo by journalist Christian Esguerra.

Ep. 90: Historian Ambeth Ocampo pushes back vs trolls

A Filipino celebrity recently claimed "history is like chismis (gossip." This episode, with public historian Xiao Chua, explains the tedious process and scholarship by historians. 

A Filipino celebrity recently claimed "history is like chismis (gossip." This episode, with public historian Xiao Chua, explains the tedious process and scholarship by historians.

Ep. 89: Sorry, Ella. History is NOT 'chismis'

Christian Esguerra sat down economist, columnist, and TV host Winnie Monsod on a wide range of issues: falsehoods in Marcos Jr.'s inaugural address, the Philippine economy, and media censorship.

Christian Esguerra sat down economist, columnist, and TV host Winnie Monsod on a wide range of issues: falsehoods in Marcos Jr.'s inaugural address, the Philippine economy, and media censorship.

Ep. 88: One-on-one with Mareng Winnie Monsod

How will the new Marcos Jr. administration deal with Beijing's provocative actions in the West Philippine Sea?

How will the new Marcos Jr. administration deal with Beijing's provocative actions in the West Philippine Sea?

Ep. 87: Marcos Jr.'s South China Sea problem

Following her election loss, former Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo has turned her "Angat Buhay" program into an NGO. How exactly will poor Filipinos benefit from it? We spoke with its executive director.

Following her election loss, former Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo has turned her "Angat Buhay" program into an NGO. How exactly will poor Filipinos benefit from it? We spoke with its executive director.

Ep. 86: Leni Robredo's 'Angat Buhay' NGO takes off

Get to know Jun Sabayton and the power of political satire in combating disinformation and historical distortion.

Get to know Jun Sabayton and the power of political satire in combating disinformation and historical distortion.

Ep. 85: One-on-One with BAYAW Jun Sabayton

Retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio explains why the National Telecommunications Commission erred in shutting down 27 websites, including 2 news sites, all because they were linked to the communist movement by outgoing National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon. This episodes also warns of the dangerous implications of this government move.

Retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio explains why the National Telecommunications Commission erred in shutting down 27 websites, including 2 news sites, all because they were linked to the communist movement by outgoing National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon. This episodes also warns of the dangerous implications of this government move.

Ep. 84: Why NTC's shutdown of 'communist-linked' websites is illegal

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? 

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?

Ep. 83: Who 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?

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?

Ep. 82: Why did VP Sara Duterte get a separate personal security unit?

Every week, veteran Philippine journalist Christian Esguerra brings you the relevant facts and explains burning issues on politics and governance — because democracy dies in disinformation.

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? 

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?

Ep. 81: What's next for Leni's 'Pink Movement'?

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.

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.

Ep. 80: Tarantadong collab with Pugad Baboy's Pol Medina Jr.

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.

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.

Ep. 79: Is social media now a more credible news source?

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 being criticized -- rightly -- over its handling of the incident.

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 being criticized -- rightly -- over its handling of the incident.

Ep. 78: 'VIP treatment' of hit-and-run suspect 

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.

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.

Ep. 77: Filipino action star tops senatorial election

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.

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.

Ep. 76: What is China up to in Philippine-occupied Ayungin Shoal?

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.

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.

Ep. 75: How Marcos' cronies abused the coco levy fund

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, stripped off the Hollywood sensationalism.

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, stripped off the Hollywood sensationalism.

Ep. 73: Demonic possessions in the Philippines on the rise during the pandemic?

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.

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.

Ep. 74: How the Philippines became a 'training ground' for disinformation

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 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.

Ep. 72: Were the May 9 Philippine elections credible?

Facts First with Christian Esguerra

The best podcast episodes on non-current politics. Covering topics such as universal basic income, democracy, poverty & justice and more. For anyone interested in learning more about politics that affect that world, not just now, but in the longer term. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Non-Current Politics Podcasts

The best podcast episodes on Startups. For anyone working in a startup, or anyone interested in the incredible stories behind how people built companies like Instagram, and Facebook. Offering both practical advice and insights, as well as the stories for how many of the biggest startups got to where they are today. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!