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.
Episodes
Ep. 1: Cielo Magno to run for senator in 2028
Christian Esguerra sits down with economist Cielo Magno on her decision to run for senator in 2028, and why Filipino voters deserve better options.
Ep. 100: The prosecution's big gamble
Christian Esguerra sits down with Rep. Terry Ridon.
Ep. 99: Sara Duterte's unexplained wealth
The House prosecution team opted to drop 3 out of 4 charges against Sara Duterte, convinced that evidence on her unexplained wealth should be enough to secure a conviction.
Ep. 98: Robin Padilla, defense team target fraud audit expert
Listen to this episode with Rep. Jinky Luistro.
Ep. 97: Trillanes drops new bombshell vs. Sara Duterte
After being dropped as prosecution witness, Trillanes drops fresh allegations against Sara Duterte.
Ep. 96: Why House prosecutors should be wary of Col. Lachica as witness
Listen to this discussion with lawyer Domingo Cayosa on the risks of presenting Col. Dante Lachica as a witness in Sara Duterte's impeachment trial.
Ep. 95: How Robin Padilla insulted our heroes
Listen to our discussion on Sen. Robin Padilla's questions during Day 19 of the impeachment trial.
Ep. 94: Sara Duterte aide grilled over questionable disbursements
Let's break down Day 19 of the impeachment trial with lawyer Jojo Lacanilao.
Ep. 93: Sara Duterte tagged as mastermind of confidential fund 'scam'
Christian Esguerra speaks with the lead House prosecutor, Rep. Jinky Luistro.
Ep. 92: Sino sina Antonio Pagong at Timon Andrew Pusa?
This episode breaks down Day 17 of Sara Duterte's impeachment trial.
Ep. 91: Marcoleta's witness recants
What happens now after Orly Guteza recanted his allegations against Rep. Martin Romualdez?
Ep. 90: Jonvic Remulla wants 'Robin Padilla' law amended
Listen to our episode with Sec. Jonvic Remulla on the school shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga.
Ep. 89: Sara Duterte's disbursing officer
Sara Duterte's disbursing officer testifies as a hostile witness in her impeachment trial.
Ep. 88: Loren at Leandro, nasa Switzerland?
Listen to our episode with NBI Director Melvin Matibag.
Ep. 87: Sandro Marcos reveals Digong's 2022 'conditions'
Rep. Sandro Marcos revealed Duterte's supposed conditions for supporting Marcos Jr. for president in 2022.
Ep. 86: Sara Duterte, kinasuhan na ng grave threats
Himayin natin ang kasong grave threats laban may VP Sara Duterte.
Ep. 85: Why was Secretary Ralph Recto 'targeted'?
Listen to our interview with lawyer Raymund Palad, who represents the talent manager who revealed the supposed character assassination plot against Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.
Ep. 84: 'Leadership fund' for senators
Let's discuss the so-called "leadership fund" between P500 million and P1 billion in DPWH fund allocations.
Ep. 83: Should Leni Robredo go for it?
A new survey shows Leni Robredo can beat Sara Duterte in a one-on-one presidential race in 2028. True?
Ep. 82: Robin, Imee grill COA witness
Robin Padilla and Imee Marcos take turns in defending Sara Duterte and grilling a COA witness.
Ep. 81: Sara Duterte's questionable confidential fund expenses
Listen to this episode with former COA Commissioner Heidi Mendoza.
Ep. 80: Lorna Kapunan on Sara Duterte confidential funds: scam!
House prosecutor Lorna Kapunan described Sara Duterte's use of confidential funds as a 'scam.'
Ep. 79: Ping rejects 'ceasefire' with Alan Peter Cayetano
Why did Ping Lacson reject a proposed 'ceasefire' with Alan Peter Cayetano?
Ep. 78: Marcos Jr. OKs release of Sara Duterte tax records
Listen to this discussion on the impeachment court's scrutiny of Sara Duterte's alleged unexplained wealth with lawyer Jojo Lacanilao.
Ep. 77: The promise and perils of Pax Silica
Listen to this discussion on the Philippine involvement in the Pax Silica initiative, with economist Cielo Magno.
Ep. 76: Ex-Landbank officials testify on 'unusual' bank withdrawals
Listen to this discussion on Day 10 of the impeachment trial with Rep. Joel Chua.
Ep. 75: Ethics complaint vs. Pia Cayetano
Sen. Pia Cayetano is facing an ethics case filed by women's group over a spliced video trolling and twisting the statements of Rep. Chel Diokno.
Ep. 74: The worsening Philippine education crisis
Listen to this wide-ranging discussion on some of the most pressing problems in Philippine education, with Dr. Karol Mark Yee, executive director of EDCOM 2.
Ep. 73: Did BBM pass or fail in his 5th SONA?
What grade will you give the President in his latest SONA?
Ep. 72: Pia Cayetano trolls Chel Diokno
Listen to this episode on why Sen. Pia Cayetano should not get away with a spliced video twisting a key exchange between her brother and Rep. Chel Diokno in the impeachment trial.
Ep. 71: One-on-One with Atty. Amando Ligutan
Listen to our interview with House impeachment prosecutor Amando Virgil Ligutan.
Ep. 70: Ping Lacson vs Alan Peter Cayetano
This episode looks into Alan Peter Cayetano's Facebook live attacking Ping Lacson, among other claims and insinuations, on the eve of a crucial Senate impeachment trial vote.
Ep. 69: Inconvenient questions for Sara Duterte
Listen to Christian Esguerra's interview with Atty. Michael Poa, spokesman of Sara Duterte's defense team.
Ep. 68: Robin Padilla blames Tarriela for China's racist video
Let's discuss what's fundamentally wrong with the honorable senator's statement that condemned China's video portraying Filipinos as monkeys, but pinned the blame on Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela.
Ep. 67: Will senators open Sara Duterte's bank records?
Rep. Terry Ridon explains why the VP's bank records should be scrutunized by the impeachment court.
Ep. 66: To China, Filipinos are monkeys
Christian Esguerra sits down with Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela on a China Daily AI video portraying Filipinos as monkeys.
Ep. 65: Cayetanos question NBI probe of 2019 SEAG
Let's break down Day 6 of the impeachment trial.
Ep. 64: Robin Padilla's moment
Christian Esguerra is joined by lawyer Jojo Lacanilao in breaking down Day 5 of the impeachment trial.
Ep. 63: Prosecution won't present Zuleika Lopez anymore
Christian Esguerra is joined by House prosecutor Joel Chua.
Ep. 62: Their bias is showing
Here's a look at how certain senators have been showing their biases in Sara Duterte's impeachment trial.
Ep. 61: Ex-NBI cybercrime chief takes witness stand
The former NBI cybercrime division chief tells the impeachment court why Sara Duterte's threat remarks were serious and real.
Ep. 60: Wasted moments in Sara Duterte's trial
Christian Esguerra speaks with a former president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines on the first three days of Sara Duterte's impeachment trial.
Ep. 59: Prepare for 'Typhoon Inday'
What exactly did Zuleika Lopez mean with this ominous message?
Ep. 58: Sara Duterte lawyer defends her 'kill' remarks
Let's break down what happened on Day 3 of Sara Duterte's impeachment trial.
Ep. 57: Jinky Luistro's moment
Christian Esguerra sits down with lead House prosecutor Jinky Luistro on Day 2 of Sara Duterte's impeachment trial.
Ep. 56: Sara Duterte appears in Senate, not trial
What was Sara Duterte up to when she showed up for a one-sentence press conference in the Senate on Day 2 of her impeachment trial?
Ep. 55: Marcoleta arrested over alleged plunder
What happens now to Sen. Rodante Marcoleta?
Ep. 54: Sara Duterte's impeachment trial begins
What happened on Day 1 of the impeachment trial?
Ep. 53: Ombudsman files case vs. Marcoleta
How strong is the evidence of plunder against Sen. Rodante Marcoleta?
Ep. 52: Is Sherwin Gatchalian up to the challenge?
Can a non-lawyer ably preside over the impeachment trial of Sara Duterte?
Ep. 51: Is Marcoleta worth fighting for?
Why did the Iglesia Ni Cristo rally for Marcoleta fizzle out?
Ep. 50: Nihilistic group influenced Tacloban shooters?
Listen to this episode on how an online network is grooming minors to commit violence, self-harm, and mass shootings.
Ep. 49: Ombudsman to still file case vs. Marcoleta
The Ombudsman says he will still file a plunder case against Marcoleta despite the massive Iglesia rally.
Ep. 48: Sara Duterte impeachment trial begins on July 6
What to expect on Day 1 of the impeachment trial
Ep. 47: Unmasking the Iglesia rally
What does the INC rally hope to achieve?
Ep. 46: Why Marcoleta only has himself to blame
The Ombudsman is set to file a plunder case against Sen. Rodante Marcoleta.
Ep. 45: Sara Duterte's excuse--free speech
Sara Duterte cites free speech to defend her threat against Marcos Jr.
Ep. 44: Anti-hazing raps vs. Ateneo coaches?
Listen to this episode with Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on the CIDG findings on the deaths of Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili.
Ep. 43: Mike Defensor in trouble
NBI Director Melvin Matibag explains the human trafficking case against Mike Defensor.
Ep. 42: Should PH lower minimum age of criminal responsibility?
Criminal justice expect Raymund Narag joins Christian Esguerra.
Ep. 41: More Trillanes bombshell vs. Sara Duterte?
Christian Esguerra speaks with Sonny Trillanes, who will testify in the Sara Duterte impeachment trial.
Ep. 40: Is the Philippine juvenile law weak?
Christian Esguerra sits with Tricia Oco of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council.
Ep. 39: Alan Cayetano's shortlived Senate presidency
Let's look back at Alan Cayetano's shortlived and tumultuous Senate presidency.
Ep. 38: Chiz as impeachment trial presiding officer?
Is it a good move to have Chiz Escudero preside over Sara Duterte's impeachment trial?
Ep. 37: Cayetano runs to the Supreme Court
Will the Supreme Court intervene in the Senate leadership row?
Ep. 36: Pati si Kiko dinamay sa 'maleta' story
This episode explains why the "maleta" narrative has become laughable and even more outrageous.
Ep. 35: Joel Villanueva set to join Gatchalian bloc?
Is Villanueva jumping to the new majority?
Ep. 34: Lawyer Jesus Falcis suspended over 'vulgar' remarks
Lawyer Jesus Falcis was suspended for one year over 'vulgar' remarks on social media.
Ep. 33: Ateneo officials under fire over drowning incident
Christian Esguerra is joined by sports law professor Al Agra on the possible cases that may be filed against coach Tab Baldwin and Ateneo officials for the death of two athletes in a training camp in Aurora province.
Ep. 32: Private lawyers join House impeachment team
Listen to this episode with Rep. Jinky Luistro, the lead House prosecutor in the Sara Duterte impeachment trial.
Ep. 31: How to recover the rest of the Marcos ill-gotten wealth
Listen to this episode with former PCGG Commissioner Ruben Carranza.
Ep. 30: Fresh 'destab' effort vs. BBM?
Who's behind this so-called new destabilization effort against Marcos Jr. and how likely will it succeed?
Ep. 29: Ateneo's missteps in Aurora drowning incident
Christian Esguerra sits down with PR man Alan German on his alma mater's response to the Aurora drowning incident that killed two student-athletes.
Ep. 28: NBI reveals 'very serious' threat to Senate
Listen to this episode with NBI Director Melvin Matibag.
Ep. 27: 2 Maleta Boys made a mistake in tagging Loren?
Listen to this discussion among Christian Esguerra, Ronald Llamas, and Barry Gutierrez.
Ep. 26: Gatchalian tells Cayetano to 'accept the facts'
Listen to our episode with acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian.
Ep. 25: When Loren called the 18 'maleta boys' a hero
Listen to this episode on the "hearing" organized by ousted Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano to present the narrative of the 18 'maleta boys.'
Eo. 24: The Amazing Maleta Story
Listen to this episode with NBI Director Melvin Matibag on why it's difficult to believe the stories of the 18 'ex-bagmen.'
Ep. 23: What's next for Alan Peter Cayetano?
What's next for Alan Peter Cayetano?
Ep. 22: Alan Peter Cayetano ousted as Senate president
Listen to our episode with Sen. Tito Sotto
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