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. 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
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?
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