VERA Files

VERA Files is a nonstock, nonprofit, independent media organization. Founded in March 2008, it is published by veteran Filipino journalists taking a deeper look into current Philippine issues. Vera is Latin for “true.”

Institutions

VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Pahayag ni Harry Roque sa ‘word of honor’ ni Duterte salungat sa mga nakaraang pahayag ng dating pangulo

Sa panawagan sa mga nasa likod ng umano’y pamimili ng pirma para sa people’s initiative para sa Charter change, sinabi ng abogadong si Harry Roque na hinihiling pa rin ang mga tao ang pamumuno ni dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte dahil “siya ay

March 3, 2024

Institutions

Duterte flip-flops on calling Marcos a ‘drug addict’

After calling President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. a “drug addict,” former president Rodrigo Duterte now says he could have been referring to the use of medicines, not illegal substances. (Read VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Rodrigo Duterte’s claim that President Marcos is on PDEA

March 2, 2024

Institutions

How socialized housing fails to address poverty and climate change

Analiza Gonzales, 51, often spends days without anything to eat. She used to be an informal settler, the term used to describe those residing in a house and/or lot without consent of owner. But she could easily provide for herself and her

March 2, 2024

Institutions

Harry Roque backtracks on supporting Marcos

Lamenting the “politicking” of top officials in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration, lawyer Harry Roque prayed for forgiveness for having been “scammed” into believing that Marcos would use his family’s “second chance” in Malacañang to redeem their tarnished reputation after his father

March 2, 2024

Institutions

The urban legend that was Soling Duterte

It is that time of the year again, the period around the Edsa People Power anniversary, that the recurring line gets regurgitated. The worn-out line goes that Rodrigo Duterte’s family should be ashamed that their matriarch Soledad Duterte was an anti-Marcos crusader.

March 1, 2024

Institutions

VERA FILES FACT CHECK: NO British Royal Navy ships handed over to the Philippines

A YouTube video claims that the Philippine Navy received two of the British Royal Navy’s warships in a handover ceremony. This is not true. Uploaded on Feb. 10, the eight-minute and seven-second bore the headline: “A New Horizon: Pagkuha ng Philippine Navy

March 1, 2024

Institutions

VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Pangilinan NOT credit-grabbing; authored Free Public Wi-Fi Act

A radio host accused former Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan of taking credit from the current administration for providing free Wi-Fi in public areas. This is false. The former lawmaker is, in fact, the principal author of the law making free Wi-Fi in public

March 1, 2024

Institutions

Elmer Borlongan: The true grit of being ordinary somewhere, everywhere

West Philippine Sea, Atin Ito, 2023. Photo by RC Ladrido Photos by R.C. Ladrido and from Elmer Borlongan’s Instagram When you see those baldheaded figures, with their big round eyes, elongated and distorted limbs in muted earth colors— almost instinctively, you know

February 29, 2024

Institutions

Duterte takes back his call for the separation of Mindanao from PH

After repeatedly calling for Mindanao secession in the past month, former president Rodrigo Duterte now says he would not pursue the plan. He said it was just a “joke” and tactic to “scare” and draw attention to the plight of the southern

February 29, 2024

Institutions

Duterte flip-flops anew on Charter change

More than a month after saying that the 1987 Constitution is “in perfect condition” and sees no reason to have it amended, former president Rodrigo Duterte now says he supports current efforts to amend it for as long as the changes would

February 29, 2024