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. 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
Ep. 21: Alan Peter Cayetano holds Senate session hostage
How will the Senate impasse end?
Ep. 20: Ex-ICC judge heads PH truth commission
Listen to our episode with former ICC judge Raul Pangalangan
Ep. 19: Jinggoy Estrada arrested for alleged plunder again
With Sen. Jinggoy Estrada arrested again for alleged plunder, what are the implications? Let's break down what this means for accountability in the flood control scandal, and how it impacts Cayetano's slim Senate majority ahead of Sara Duterte's impeachment trial.
Ep. 18: Risa Hontiveros speaks up on Marcoleta's mansplaining
Listen to our episode with Sen. Risa Hontiveros
Ep. 17: Robin Padilla redefines 'force majeure'
Cayetano's bloc is pushing hard to amend a key Senate rule supposedly to benefit Bato and other senators who might be arrested.
Ep. 16: One-on-One with Cardinal Ambo David
Listen to our interview with Cardinal Ambo David on the establishment of a truth commission on Duterte's drug war.
Ep. 15: Erwin Tulfo gets real on Cayetano majority
Christian Esguerra sits down with Sen. Erwin Tulfo, who didn't hold back on fellow senators insisting on changing a key Senate rule.
Ep. 14: Marcoleta's legal woes
Does Marcoleta only has himself to blame for his legal troubles?
Ep. 13: Imee Marcos presents propaganda video
What is Imee Marcos up to this time?
Ep. 12: Rep. Jinky Luistro's big test
House prosecutors brace for a grueling impeachment trial that could reshape the Philippine political landscape in 2028.
Ep. 11: Sa SALN kaya madale si Sara Duterte?
A former Corona impeachment lawyer weighs in on the upcoming trial of Sara Duterte.
Ep. 10: Kumusta na si Pia Cayetano?
Listen to this riot of an episode where Christian Esguerra is joined by lawyer Jess Falcis and Ronald Trump.
Ep. 9: DOJ orders Bato's arrest
Who will be held liable for helping Bato escape from the Senate?
Ep. 8: No Supreme Court TRO for Bato
What happens now that the SC didn't stop the ICC arrest warrant against Bato Dela Rosa?
Ep. 7: PNP findings show Senate not under attack
Let's look more deeply into the PNP findings that belied Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano's version of the May 13 incident in the Senate.
Ep. 6: Is Bato now a fugitive?
Former Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Tony Carpio explains why Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa is now a fugitive.
Ep. 5: Cayetano's 'majority of one"
How long can the Bible-quoting Alan Peter Cayetano hold on to his slim Senate majority?
Ep. 4: Can senators be 'politicall neutral' in impeachment trial?
Listen to Christian Esguerra's interview with House prosecutor Terry Ridon ahead of the impeachment trial.
Ep. 3: Will Alan Peter Cayetano be replaced as Senate President?
Will Alan Peter Cayetano lose the Senate Presidency after his tumultuous first week at the helm?
Ep. 2: NBI chief belies Cayetano version of Senate shooting
Listen to Christian Esguerra's interview with NBI Director Melvin Matibag.
Ep. 1: Trillanes hits Cayetano over Bato escape
Listen to this episode with Sonny Trillanes.
Ep. 100: Bato's Senate escape scripted?
New Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano has a lot of explaining to do over the suspicious shooting incident in the Senate and Bato's escape.
Ep. 99: Questions on the Senate shooting incident
Was it a false flag operation to allow Bato Dela Rosa to sneak out of the Senate building where he had been essentially trapped pending the service of the arrest warrant against him?
Ep. 98: Bato’s cowardice
Christian Esguerra explains why Bato Dela Rosa, a fugitive from the ICC, is dragging the Senate as an institution down with him.
Ep. 97: Is Cayetano committing a crime by protecting Bato?
Listen to Christian Esguerra’s episode with Atty. Lorna Kapunan.
Ep. 96: De Lima says Bato a ‘coward’
Listen to Christian Esguerra’s conversation with Rep. Leila De Lima
Ep. 95: The brazen ouster of Tito Sotto
Pro-Sara Duterte senators succeed in removing Senate President Tito Sotto ahead of her impeachment by the House.
Ep. 94: Sara Duterte impeached again
But the real battle will be in the Senate, which is now controlled by her allies.
Ep. 93: Duterte fires Nicholas Kaufman
Why did Rodrigo Duterte drop Kaufman ahead of his ICC trial?
Ep. 92: Sara Duterte claims she’s not vindictive
Christian Esguerra is joined by Ronald Llamas and Barry Gutierrez.
Ep. 91: PGMN founder nabbed for alleged extortion
Listen to our episode on the arrest of Franco Mabanta.
Ep. 90: Rodrigo Duterte headed for ICC trial
When will Rodrigo Duterte's ICC trial for crimes against humanity finally start?
Ep. 89: How to investigate Sara Duterte's bank transactions
Former COA Commissioner Heidi Mendoza explains how Sara Duterte's bank transactions can be scrutinized.
Ep. 88: The vindication of Sonny Trillanes
Christian Esguerra speaks with Sonny Trillanes, who testified before the House impeachment hearing on Sara Duterte.
Ep. 87: Sara Duterte likely to face Senate impeachment trial?
Christian Esguerra sits down with Rep. Jinky Luistro, chairwoman of the House justice committee, on the latest revelations on Sara Duterte.
Ep. 86: Martin Romualdez breaks silence and issues a warning
Did the former House speaker just threaten to tell all on the flood control scandal?
Ep. 85: P6.7B bank transactions of Sara Duterte, husband bared
Where did all that flow of money to and from the bank accounts of Sara Duterte and her husband come from, based on the AMLC report presented at the House impeachment hearing?
Ep. 84: Leni Robredo not running for president in 2028?
This episode talks about the former VP's statement that she would prefer to seek reelection as Naga City mayor in 2028.
Ep. 83: The complicated case of Zaldy Co
An immigration law expert explains the scenarios and complications of bringing the fugitive Zaldy Co back to the Philippines.
Ep. 82: Baste Duterte for president in 2028?
Let's talk about the so-called Plan B by the DDS in case Sara Duterte is unable to run for president in 2028.
Ep. 81 : COA orders Sara Duterte to return P375M in confidential fund
Rep. Terry Ridon speaks with Christian Esguerra on the latest COA notice of disallowance on Sara Duterte's confidential fund.
Ep. 80: Kailan mapapauwi si Zaldy Co?
Former congressman Zaldy Co is said to have been arrested in the Czech Republic, but what are the chances that he would be sent home to face criminal charges against him?
Ep. 79: Ramil Madriaga testifies in impeachment hearing
Of all the allegations against Sara Duterte, the VP opted to respond to this claim by Ramil Madriaga. Why?
Ep. 78: Saan dinala ni Sara Duterte ang P73M confidential fund?
Christian Esguerra speaks with former COA Commissioner Heidi Mendoza on the notice of disallowance on Sara Duterte's confidential funds.
Ep. 77: How long can Sara Duterte avoid the House?
Christian Esguerra and lawyer Jesus Falcis talk about the impeachment hearings on Sara Duterte.
Ep. 76: Imee hits BBM in Holy Week message
What is Sen. Imee Marcos up to in her latest tirade against President Bongbong Marcos?
Ep. 75: SC review Comelec ruling on Chiz Escudero
Christian Esguerra is joined by lawyer Marvin Aceron on the petition to review the Comelec ruling that favored Chiz Escudero on the P30-million campaign donation he got from a government contractor.
Ep. 74: Who's really politicking during the oil crisis?
Christian Esguerra and Edu...ward Mansanas in the house.
Ep. 73: Is work-from-home a good idea?
Christian Esguerra is joined by Jose Ramon Albert of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies for a conversation on the impact of WFH arrangements on ordinary workers during the oil crisis.
Ep. 72: Luistro explains 'mini trial'
Christian Esguerra sits down with Rep. Gerville Luistro on efforts to stop the impeachment hearings on Sara Duterte.
Ep. 71: Will the Supreme Court step in again?
Watch this episode on the new petition asking the Supreme Court to stop the House impeachment hearings on Sara Duterte.
Ep. 70: Trillanes to testify in Sara Duterte impeachment hearing
How strong is Sonny Trillanes' evidence on Sara Duterte's alleged bank accounts?
Ep. 69: Should Marcos Jr. strike an oil deal with China?
Christian Esguerra interviews Justice Tony Carpio on the challenges of dealing with China for a possible oil exploration in the West Philippine Sea.
Ep. 68: Sara Duterte impeachment hearings begin
Is Sara Duterte planning to run to the Supreme Court again?
Ep. 67: That 'grenade' of a content creator named Lovely Granada
Christian Esguerra sits down with Lovely Granada, a highly talented content creator who's now the subject of attacks by the DDS.
Ep. 66: Tax the rich amid the crisis?
Tax expert Mon Abrea explains why taxing the rich at this time won't work.
Ep. 65: What has Sara Duterte done vs. corruption?
Christian Esguerra, pinagtyagaang i-guest si Edu...ward Mansanas.
Ep. 64: Marcos Jr.'s biggest crisis
Christian Esguerra speaks with economist Noel Leyco on the government's response to the crisis.
Ep. 63: Erice says Sara Duterte sure to be impeached again
Rep. Edgar Erice explains why Sara Duterte will likely be impeachment again.
Ep. 62: What is Sara Duterte ignores impeachment hearings?
Christian Esguerra speaks with Rep. Jinky Luistro on the upcoming impeachment hearings on Sara Duterte.
Ep. 61: Gov't rolls out 'ayuda' for drivers
Christian Esguerra speaks with DSWD Sec. Rex Gatchalian on the cash assistance program for drivers amid the crisis.
Ep. 60: Sara Duterte responds (or didn't) to accusations
Christian Esguerra sits down with Dean Mel Sta. Maria on Sara Duterte's reply ad cautelam to the impeachment complaints against her.
Ep. 59: Sara Duterte, pabibo sa gitna ng Iran conflict?
Himayin natin ang mga tila pabibo remarks ni Vice President Sara Duterte sa gitna ng tensyon sa Middle East.
Ep. 58: A joke of a bill against political dynasties?
Christian Esguerra sits down with Rep. Chel Diokno.
Ep. 57: Ang kabastusan nina Bong Suntay at Ferdie Topacio
Christian Esguerra speaks with Prof. Jean Encinas-Franco and Alan German on the repulsive comments by a congressman and a DDS lawyer.
Ep. 56: Should Digong now brace for ICC trial?
Lawyer Ruben Carranza explains what Digong's ICC case will likely proceed to trial.
Ep. 55: DDS pushing 'maleta' narrative
Listen to this episode on what appears to be a coordinated amplification of the 'maleta' narrative.
Ep. 54: Sara Duterte asked to respond to mpeachment complaints
Listen to Christian Esguerra's interview with Rep. Jinky Luistro after the justice committee found that the two impeachment complaints against the vice president were "sufficient in substance."
Ep. 53: Ramil Madriaga's life in danger?
Listen to our interview with the lawyer of Ramil Madriaga, an alleged former aide of Sara Duterte.
Ep. 52: Ang kabastusan ni Congressman Bong Suntay
Listen to this episode on the lewd remarks of a Quezon City congressman on actress Anne Curtis during the House justice committee hearing on the impeachment complaints against Sara Duterte.
Ep. 50: A step closer to impeachment?
Listen to this episode on the prospects of Sara Duterte's possible impeachment for a second time.
Ep. 49: Is Marcoleta a 'tsinador'?
Listen to Christian Esguerra's one-on-one interview with Sen. Rodante Marcoleta.
