This decision marks the beginning of De Lima’s path toward complete freedom.

In 2016, under the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte, De Lima was accused of allegedly enabling the drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison. She had been in detention since February 2017, with three drug charges filed against her.

Following her exit from her detention center in Camp Crame, De Lima held her first press conference at Novotel Manila Araneta City.

In this Rappler special coverage, Rappler columnist and veteran journalist John Nery spoke with multimedia reporters Lian Buan and Jairo Bolledo, who followed De Lima’s journey to freedom live from the courts to Camp Crame in Quezon City.

They were also joined by Tony La Viña, former dean of Ateneo’s School of Government and member of De Lima’s legal team, Human Rights Watch senior researcher Carlos Conde, and former presidential political adviser Ronald Llamas. – Rappler.com

On October 22, during a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre, the Philippines said China’s “dangerous maneuvers” led to collisions between boats owned or sanctioned by the two governments. A China Coast Guard ship collided with the Unaiza May 2, a Philippine military-contracted boat while a Chinese Maritime Militia vessel hit the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Cabra. Beijing claimed it was the Philippines which provoked the incidents.

Days after, Manila and Beijing officials conducted press conferences while other countries and allies also released statements. US President Joe Biden reiterated his country’s “ironclad” defense commitment to Manila.

The Chinese embassy in the Philippines claims the US Embassy’s statements are part of a sinister attempt to endorse the Philippines’ alleged acts of infringement and provocation. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has since ordered the Philippine Coast Guard to investigate the maneuvers by the Chinese coast guard.

As things escalate, make better sense of the issue with Rappler reporters, editors, thought leaders, and subject matter experts.

In this Rappler special coverage, multimedia reporter Bea Cupin sits down with Rappler editor-at-large Marites Vitug, former defense secretary Orly Mercado, former presidential adviser Ronald Llamas, and retired rear admiral Rommel Ong to talk about what the developments in the volatile waters mean.

Bookmark this page to catch the stream go live on Friday, October 27, at 4 pm. – Rappler.com

Rappler’s special coverage of the 2023 SONA brings you analyses, insights, context, fact checks, and the latest updates as the event unfolds.

Rappler senior multimedia reporter Pia Ranada hosts the special coverage with panelists editor-at-large Marites Dañguilan Vitug, resident economist JC Punongbayan, columnist and editorial consultant John Nery, and other Rappler reporters dialing in.

Bookmark this page to watch Rappler’s special coverage starting 3 pm. – Rappler.com

SONA 2023 updates

• Check out our SONA 2023 developing story page for live updates, commentary, videos, fact checks and analyses as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his second State of the Nation Address.
• Follow Rappler’s coverage of SONA 2023, including the latest updates on road closures and alternate traffic routes, class suspensions, and political developments.

• The power of Yedda Romualdez, Lady of the House and wife of the Speaker
• [The Slingshot] BBM appoints his own brother in-law
• The two sides of Sara Duterte
• [Pastilan] The Marcos recipe for kitchen disaster
• [Pastilan] World traveler Bongbong Marcos strikes again
• [ANALYSIS] Marcos in Never, Neverland
• [The Slingshot] Martial Law@50: BBM’s latest lie
• [Newspoint] A compromised presidency
• Marcos agrees with ‘incomplete’ grade in first year as agriculture chief
• Analyst highlights weak anti-corruption messaging of Marcos administration
• Cagayan de Oro weighs in: Thumbs up for Marcos’ efforts but not on delivery
• Liza Araneta Marcos, First Lady of the Philippines
• Boses ng Kalye: How is President Marcos’ performance in his first year?

Economy and Business

• Kitchen crisis: How some food prices soared under Marcos 
• The billionaires advising Marcos how to run the economy
• [ANALYSIS] Beware the Maharliscam
• [ANALYSIS] Economists vs Maharlika: Some key points
• [ANALYSIS] Maharlika: Vehicle for growth or corruption?
• [Just Saying] Reasons to reject the Maharlika Fund Law
• [ANALYSIS] The Reed Bank gaffe and misunderstanding Malampaya
• [ANALYSIS] How the Marcos economy worsens inflation
• [PASTILAN] A Ponzi scheme called Maharlika

Social Services

• [EDITORIAL] Tuloy lang sa pagtatanggol ng kababayang OFW, kahit inilalaglag ka ng Presidente mo
• [OPINION] Who is missing from EDCOM 2? The voices of teachers, students, and parents
• [OPINION] Sara’s elephant
• [Vantage Point] The urgency of a NAIA facelift
• [The Slingshot] Gold medal for incoherence: On Sara Duterte and toothbrushing
• [OPINION] Questions on the migration policy of the Marcos Jr. administration
• [The Slingshot] Sara’s P500 million discombobulates

Justice and Human Rights

• A mother thinks the worst is over after Duterte. Then her son is killed under Marcos.
• More killings, no justice: Navigating continued impunity from Duterte to Marcos
• [EDITORIAL] Reality check: May kalayaan ba sa panahon ni Marcos Jr.?
• [OPINION] The killings continue. Filipinos must take notice.
• Behind Leila de Lima’s case: Ties, politics, and Marcos 
• Newsbreak Chats: Impunity and injustice a year into Marcos

Foreign Affairs and Security

• [ANALYSIS] Hype around China is out. Vanilla diplomacy is in.
• [Newspoint] A compounding security problem

Environment

• Marcos’ first environmental crisis leaves fisherfolk behind
• PANOORIN: Sa pag-ahon mula sa oil spill, kabuhayan at hustisya ang hiling ng mga mangingisda
• In a burning world, Toni Loyzaga plays by the rules
• [Vantage Point] How prepared are we for El Niño?
• The Green Report: Marcos and the environment, a year after

Media and Democracy

• Marcos and the media: Platitudes, but what else again?

Sports

• Sports under Marcos: Game of politics

Culture

• LOOK: Comics, illustrations in response to Marcos’ governance during 1st year in office
• [The Slingshot] When heritage’s wrecking ball comes from the National Museum
• [OPINION] On Filipinos’ authoritarian nostalgia

The tanker had been carrying 800,000 liters of industrial oil.

Here’s what the waters of Pola town in Oriental Mindoro look like on Sunday, March 5, following the incident. – Rappler.com

Join Inday Espina-Varona, Rappler’s head of regions, and Jee Geronimo, Rappler’s environment editor, for our special coverage on Sunday, March 5. Rappler reporter Dwight de Leon is on the field in Pola, Oriental Mindoro, where he talked to Mayor Jennifer “Ina Alegre” Cruz. – Rappler.com

PNP Eastern Visayas spokesperson Police Colonel Bella Rentuaya told Rappler on Thursday, January 26, that “the investigation on them is continuing and they are now assigned at the PNP Regional Office” in Palo, Leyte.

Rentuaya did not mention how many cops were under probe but said they have ranks below full colonel.

On January 19, Eastern Visayas police chief Brigadier General Rommel Francisco Marbil relieved Catbalogan City OIC police chief Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Cuntapay and six of his subordinates – Senior Master Sergeant Dennis Figueroa Padayao, senior staff sergeants Hermar Abotog, and Macario Rosal Fulgencio Jr., and corporals Harrison Duranggo Cinco, Steven Michael Tamayo Dadulla, and Igie Boy Saldino Rabuya.

Marbil reassigned all seven cops to the regional office in Palo, Leyte, and appointed Leyte Provincial police intelligence unit chief Lieutenant Colonel Dinvir Revita to replace Cuntapay.  

“I don’t have any personal knowledge or information why they were relieved,  but since there was an order from the PNP Director, it’s valid and legal,” Rentuaya told Rappler. 

Rappler is trying to reach Cuntapay and will update with new developments as soon as he responds.

The Eastern Visayas police spokesperson said the office frequently rotates cops to prevent corruption.

“Usually narerelieve ang isang police ‘pag lampas na ito sa time niya sa post (cop are relieved if they overstays in a post), or if you are involved in something. So that you won’t have the power to maneuver, you are relieved while the investigation is underway,” she said in a mix of English and Filipino.

“Every day, we closely monitor our personnel,” Rentuaya added. “The PNP is trying to clean the house and we want to send a message that nobody is immune.”

Twenty-one key PNP Easter Visayas officials, including two brigadier generals and 19 colonels, have followed the January 4 directive of Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos to submit their courtesy resignation

Abalos’ order is part of efforts to purge the PNP of cops with drug links.

Marbil led the submission of courtesy resignation letters on January 5 and signed an affidavit disavowing any involvement in any illegal or criminal activity, or receiving bribes from anyone involved in illegal drugs. – Rappler.com

Spotlight Luzon compiles developing stories and special features from the seven administrative regions outside of Metro Manila. These are, from the north down: Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Bicol.   

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Spotlight Visayas brings you developing stories and special features from the regions of Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas.  

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The island has six administrative regions: Northern Mindanao, Davao Region in the south, Zamboanga Peninsula in the west, Caraga in the east, Soccsksargen in south-central Mindanao, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Many of the cities and provinces in these regions have not been getting their place in the daily news cycle.

Spotlight Mindanao serves as our page to compile developing stories from Mindanao each day so that the island becomes a part of our daily news diet.

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