Month: December 2025
Explainer: How Algorithms Quietly Rewrote the Rules of News
Algorithms don’t run newsrooms—but they now shape what most people actually see. The power once held by editors over front pages has shifted to platforms that decide which stories surface, how often, and to whom. Here’s how that shift works, and why it matters. Algorithms are the new gatekeepers Before, editors curated the news lineup.
Corruption Isn’t a Flood Control Problem — It’s a Governance Problem
When floods hit, so does public anger. And almost inevitably, flood control projects take the blame: overpriced, poorly built, endlessly funded, and seemingly designed to fail. The outrage is understandable. But singling out flood control as the corruption-prone sector misses a harder truth. Corruption in government spending is not sector-specific. It is systemic. Flood control
Fact Check: Russia’s Sentencing of ICC Prosecutor, Judges not Enforceable Imprisonment
“RUSSIA SINENTENSIYAHAN ANG ICC PROSECUTOR AT JUDGES BILANG GANTI SA ARREST WARRANT KAY PUTIN…” — a Facebook post asserts that a Russian court sentenced ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan and eight ICC officials to prison for issuing an arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin, and also states background about Khan’s suspension and U.S. sanctions.
Fact Check: Is Zamboanga Sibugay Rep. Marlo Bancoro Against Wage Hikes?
A Facebook post by the United Private Hospital Unions of the Philippines (UPHUP) claims that Rep. Marlo Bancoro of Zamboanga Sibugay opposes wage increases, particularly the abolition of the provincial minimum wage rate, and that he is siding with business interests over workers. Rating: MISLEADING The facts Rep. Marlo Bancoro has publicly clarified his position
Dispute Resurfaces Over Commercial Fishing In Municipal Waters
MANILA, Philippines — A long-running dispute over who gets to fish in the country’s municipal waters — the first 15 kilometers from the shoreline — has resurfaced, rekindling tensions between government fisheries officials, environmental groups, and small-scale fisherfolk. At the center of the debate is whether commercial fishing vessels should be allowed to operate in
EXPLAINER: Can COVID-19 Cause Lasting Effects On The Brain?
Growing scientific evidence suggests that COVID-19 is not just a respiratory illness. Years after the pandemic began, researchers are increasingly warning that the virus may leave long-term effects on the brain, even after the initial infection has passed. What scientists are seeing Doctors and researchers around the world have documented a range of neurological symptoms
FACT CHECK: Quote Card Claiming ICC Prosecutor Backs Duterte’s Innocence Is FALSE
A quote card circulating online shows ICC Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang saying: “In accordance with Rule 34, I am committed to supporting former President Rodrigo Duterte in his pursuit of the truth and ensuring a fair examination of the facts regarding his innocence.” VERDICT: False What the quote card gets wrong There is no
Why PMVIC Matters: Ensuring Every Ride Is Roadworthy
Ipil First PMVIC recently shared a simple but meaningful update: “One more satisfied customer checked off their motorcycle inspection and advance renewal today. Beat the rush by renewing early for a safer, smoother, and stress-free ride.” Behind that short message is a bigger story about why the Philippine Motor Vehicle Inspection Center (PMVIC) system exists—and
EXPLAINER: What We Know So Far About The Bondi Beach Terror Attack
MANILA, Philippines – A Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, Sydney turned into one of Australia’s deadliest mass shootings in decades, after two gunmen opened fire on a Jewish community event on December 14, 2025. Authorities have declared it a terrorist attack, prompting heightened security across the country. Here’s what we know so far. What happened
Why VP Sara Duterte faces plunder charges — and does this affect a 2028 presidential bid?
Plunder and multiple criminal charges have been filed before the Office of the Ombudsman against Vice President Sara Duterte and 14 other officials over the alleged misuse of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds during her time at the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd), where she previously served as
NASA Images Reveal Earth’s Hidden Magnetic Plasma Tail
For the first time, scientists have captured global images showing how Earth’s magnetic shield behaves — including a long-suspected but never-before-seen “tail” made of electrified gas. The discovery was made by NASA’s Imager for Magnetopause to Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE) spacecraft and published in the journal Science. The images offer a rare, planet-wide view of
EXPLAINER: What is the winter solstice and why does it matter?
The winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere — and the official start of winter. This year, the winter solstice falls on Sunday, December 21, at 3:03 pm, when the sun reaches its lowest point in the sky at midday. What happens during the winter solstice?
