MANILA, Philippines – At Rappler, we proceed to consider journalism could make a distinction. We inform our tales not for awards, fame, or controversy, however within the hope that they assist lives. And so it’s with nice delight and heartfelt enthusiasm that I, together with Rappler editors, current our newsroom’s most impactful tales of 2024.
You will notice, mirrored in these headlines, the problems that matter most to our readers and our newsroom. These tales will also be seen as a wrap of the 12 months that was — the 12 months of the Uniteam rift, of the consecutive typhoons and disruptive heatwaves, of a spiritual cult chief fallen from grace, of deepfakes, scams victimizing millionaires and migrant staff, of Olympic glory, and way more.
As with the 2023 checklist, we outlined impression primarily based on how the story catalyzed real-world change or amplified communities and voices lengthy marginalized and ignored. We hope these tales resonate with you too.
We wish to do even higher in 2025. You’ll be able to assist us by supporting our applications that maintain our operations and protection funds: the Rappler+ membership program and our crowdfunding initiative.
Thanks, our readers, Rappler+ members, and companions for believing, like we do, that impartial journalism issues.
With out additional ado, listed below are the most effective tales our newsroom has to supply in 2024:
OFWs victimized by a Korea employee program
After this investigative sequence by reporter Michelle Abad, the federal government suspended the abusive South Korea Seasonal Employee Program in at the least seven localities, and eventually acted on the case of scammed migrant staff spotlighted by the story. The story additionally prompted the migrant staff division to alter a coverage that had delayed the grant of economic help to victimized Filipinos.
Probably the most highly effective political dynasty
On this report, researcher James Patrick Cruz finds that at the least 16 elected officers are associated to the household of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. He then examines the implications of such concentrated energy in a rustic with a Structure that claims political dynasties needs to be prohibited.
The Home of Hypocrisy
The change in how the Home of Representatives obtained former senator Leila de Lima this 12 months, from the vicious assaults of a lot of its members in the course of the Duterte presidency, is sufficient to give anybody whiplash. Political reporter Dwight de Leon lays out all of the hypocrisy and fickleness of Philippine politics on this story.
The problem of protecting Marcos
Restricted media entry and punctiliously managed public appearances outlined President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s first years in energy, based on researcher Gaby Baizas. Such inaccessibility raises issues in regards to the erosion of transparency and accountability, key pillars of democratic governance.
Sara’s optics
The 12 months 2024 was a 12 months of upheaval for Vice President Sara Duterte. Bonz Magsambol tracks her evolution since she parted methods with the Marcos administration, changing into extra like her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, in coping with her critics in public.
LTO’s fraud-prone programs
In a sequence of tales, we dig into the Land Transportation Workplace’s two IT programs, which price motorists extra charges and have opened loopholes for fraud. Reporting was primarily based on the Division of Transportation’s investigations, paperwork, and interviews with whistleblowers.
Quiboloy’s weapons
Investigative reporter Lian Buan reveals doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy’s assortment of 19 firearms, price over P2 million. The story not solely uncovered Quiboloy’s assets but additionally highlighted systemic vulnerabilities in firearm regulation, questioning whether or not authorized mechanisms inadvertently enabled impunity.
‘Pretend surrenders’ of younger activists
Did the federal government orchestrate the “give up” of activists to win a propaganda battle? After this two-part investigative story by Rappler, the Supreme Court docket did a uncommon transfer of granting, on their degree, the privileges of the writs of amparo and habeas knowledge. It issued a brief safety order for the Bataan activists within the story, Jhed Tamano and Jonila Castro.
TikTok, the brand new market for sketchy well being merchandise
This deep dive into the murky depths of TikTok confirmed how this high Gen Z data supply has change into a market for shady well being merchandise. The creator, Aries Rufo Journalism Fellow Jerry Yubal Jr., additionally identifies gaps in TikTok’s tips that permit this harmful abuse of the platform to occur.
A name to motion for Bicol flood victims
A harrowing portrait of Bicol communities within the aftermath of Extreme Tropical Storm Kristine, this story by Aries Rufo Journalism Fellow Reinnard Balonzo instantly mobilized donations of consuming water to storm victims.
Philippine eagles fly to freedom
This documentary means that you can witness the hours earlier than a pair of Philippine eagles, Uswag and Carlito, soar to freedom after confinement in wire cages in Leyte.
The tea about Pharmally wealth and greater POGO fish
Rappler’s new vertical video sequence, Inside Monitor, acquired our neighborhood speaking about how Pharmally Pharmaceutical executives had been capable of purchase luxurious actual property in Dubai. In one other episode, reporter Lian Buan explains how unlawful POGOs in Tarlac lead again to former president Rodrigo Duterte’s ex-economic adviser Michael Yang.
POGO abuse is aware of no borders
This story fleshed out not solely the human rights abuses in Philippine offshore gaming operations however their crossborder nature. Indonesian journalist Artika Farmita, a 2024 #FactsMatter Journalism Fellow, spotlighted the expertise of an Indonesian former POGO employee as an example the fraud and abuse.
Exhausting-won victory for a brand new island area
The creation of the Negros Island Area impacts individuals and governance in Western and Central Visayas, from the place the brand new area was carved out. Its rebirth or revival was a imaginative and prescient championed by native leaders, and one thing that promised streamlined governance and financial progress. This story by Negros Occidental stringer Erwin Delilan exhibits how regional aspirations overcame a long time of challenges and bureaucratic resistance to realize tangible reforms.
The ‘son of god’ surrenders
The seize of Apollo Quiboloy was a milestone in holding a really influential determine accountable for alleged abuses. Rappler Areas’ Mindanao coordinator Herbie Gomez exhibits on this report how the “give up” was each a authorized victory and an announcement on the significance of pursuing justice even when confronted with formidable opponents.
The Sulu query
The Supreme Court docket’s choice to exclude Sulu from Bangsamoro Autonomous Area in Muslim Mindanao impacts the predominantly Muslim area’s governance and political panorama, alters the area’s energy dynamics, and will have an effect on the Mindanao peace course of. This story by Rappler Areas editor Herbie Gomez and justice reporter Jairo Bolledo goes past the breaking information story to clarify the implications.
Duterte drug battle’s different sin
The bloody battle on medication of former president Rodrigo Duterte didn’t solely go away a large demise toll, however exacerbated jail congestion and the dire circumstances of inmates. Rappler’s Lian Buan and James Patrick Cruz go to the drug suspects ready for months for his or her day in court docket, and different detainees caught within the limbo of clogged court docket dockets on the Manila Metropolis Jail male dormitory.
Social media sentiment round 2025 senatorial bets
This story from knowledge forensics agency The Nerve, a Rappler sister firm, tracks the developments and public sentiment surrounding the highest senatorial candidates for the midterm elections to point out how social media is affecting political discourse.
Life-style selections of Millennial and Gen Z Filipinos
The Nerve unpacks an underreported pattern we however see in all places: how Millennials and Gen Zs are selecting the Twin Revenue, No Youngsters (DINK) way of life because of monetary pressures and shifting priorities. This story can be distinctive in that it made use of AI-powered focus teams to generate significant societal insights.
The state of Metro Manila’s bike infrastructure
This documentary and knowledge story exhibits the state of Metro Manila’s bike lanes via the lens of biking fanatic and surroundings reporter Iya Gozum. She spent nearly 12 hours on the street, biking and capturing throughout 120 kilometers with Rappler’s Manufacturing group tailing her, to supply a conversation-driving narrative reflecting the each day struggles of motorcycle commuters.
How small fisherfolk endure from power-tripping
This two-part collaboration by investigative reporter Lian Buan and surroundings reporter Iya Gozum regarded into how business fishing firms pushed again in opposition to insurance policies meant to forestall unlawful, unreported, and unregulated fishing. The losers are the small fisherfolk, already among the many poorest staff within the nation.
Carlos Yulo offers with an unflattering highlight
On this unique interview by sports activities editor Jasmine Payo and reporter Delfin Dioquino, Olympic gymnastics champion Carlos Yulo opens up on his frayed household relationships and different private ordeals, prompting conversations on the gloom that comes with the glitter of a celebrity athlete.
The Philippine Olympic group’s highs and lows in Paris
The Philippines confirmed it’s right here to combat the world’s greatest with full confidence after a historic Paris Olympics romp. However this function by sports activities reporter JR Isaga additionally touches on the heartbreaks and struggles – from “wardrobe malfunctions” to a “poisonous surroundings” – our elite athletes needed to undergo on the largest sporting stage.
The grit and style of Filipino Paralympians
Six Filipino para athletes competed within the Paris Olympics: swimmer Angel Otom, javelin thrower Cendy Asusano, wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan, swimmer Ernie Gawilan, para archer Agustina Bantiloc, and taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin. Anchor Pató Gregorio speaks to the Paralympians about their struggles and their journey to the 2024 Paralympics.
A nun’s gripping account of the Individuals Energy Revolution
Senior reporter Paterno Esmaquel II’s video interview with Sister Cho Borromeo, a Franciscan nun who joined the 1986 Individuals Energy Revolution, was certainly one of our most viral faith-related movies in 2024. It’s a strong antidote to historic revisionism and, in a patriarchal church, a testomony to the religion and braveness of ladies.
The hazard of deepfakes
Journalists Gemma Mendoza and Gelo Gonzales discover {that a} Russian rip-off community was behind the unfold of a deepfake falsely depicting Rappler CEO Maria Ressa endorsing Bitcoin investments. It underscores the pressing want for stronger safeguards in opposition to AI video manipulation and collaborative efforts to take care of media credibility and public belief.
The right way to spot a deepfake video
This news-you-can-use story by tech editor Gelo Gonzales teaches readers the best way to determine deepfakes, a form of AI-manipulation in video that’s now getting used for political propaganda, scams, and scares.
A Ponzi scheme preying on the wealthy
The autumn of millennial CEO Mica Tan has shaken elite circles. This story by enterprise reporter Ralf Rivas particulars Tan’s humble beginnings, her journey in personal fairness investing, as much as her tussles with regulators and buyers. The Securities and Trade Fee accused Tan of participating in a Ponzi scheme, which she has denied. Whereas this scheme is nothing new, Tan’s case is exclusive because it concerned millionaires. The story additionally sheds mild on the significance of auditors in detecting monetary fraud.
Violence vs. girls accusations shake up a enterprise org
A day after Rappler revealed this report on an issue involving incoming Administration Affiliation of the Philippines president Noel Bonoan, the previous finance undersecretary determined to withdraw from assuming the highest publish of the celebrated enterprise group.
A 97-year-old Philippine firm closes down
The closure of sugar refiner Central Azucarera Don Pedro in Nasugbu, Batangas, affected hundreds of sugarcane planters and discipline staff, and triggered netizens’ reactions to the federal government’s sugar regulatory insurance policies. This report by editor Isagani de Castro Jr. was certainly one of this 12 months’s most-read enterprise tales.
The Philippines’ studying disaster
This story from training reporter Bonz Magsambol examines the troubling difficulty of Filipino college students’ poor efficiency in world training assessments. Schooling consultants spotlight the elements contributing to the dismal tutorial outcomes and supply suggestions on how the federal government can deal with these challenges to enhance how younger Filipinos be taught.
Local weather and lecture rooms
In a rustic the place courses are sometimes canceled because of typhoons, local weather change has thrown in warmth waves which have added to studying disruptions in several components of the nation. Whereas the federal government has since ordered a return to the outdated tutorial calendar to deal with this, reporter Bonz Magsambol asks an essential query: why aren’t our lecture rooms climate-resilient?
Making streets extra ‘people-friendly’
Rappler’s civic engagement arm, MovePH, was behind the primary Philippine use of generative synthetic intelligence to seek the advice of bizarre residents for the aim of each journalism and public coverage. With the assistance of the workplace of Quezon Metropolis councilor Irene Belmonte, the train contributed to the crafting of an ordinance to pedestrianize the busy thoroughfare on Sundays.
Abuses of individuals with incapacity low cost perks
A well-intentioned coverage geared toward easing monetary pressure amongst individuals with disabilities is being exploited by scammers, to the detriment of companies and disabled residents themselves. Editor Acor Arceo deftly lays out the views of varied teams on this piece.
Sine, malaya?
Movie critic Lé Baltar make clear numerous makes an attempt to censor two movies launched this 12 months, Misplaced Sabungeros and Alipato at Muog. Collectively, the 2 tales present the state of freedom of expression in cinema and the challenges storytellers take care of when telling uncomfortable truths.
The demise of a information channel
As dependable sources began to drift the upcoming shutdown of CNN Philippines, enterprise reporter Ralf Rivas instantly dug into the corporate’s monetary statements, discovering money circulate points and income unable to maintain up with mounting losses. The information-driven story revealed Philippine media’s dire monetary struggles, amid information avoidance and generative AI.
Illustration in gaming
There are such a lot of younger individuals who play video games, but the vast majority of video games are developed by the West and Japan, who’re capable of inform their tradition via the medium. That’s why when a recreation like Till Then comes alongside, it’s essential to spotlight the importance of the illustration of Filipino tradition in a online game.
Pinoy Schengen visa issues
Rappler editor-at-large Marites Vitug offers context and depth to a standard drawback skilled by Filipinos: the issue of acquiring a visa to the European Union. Many individuals may relate to the difficulty, judging by the 127 feedback on this video’s YouTube web page alone.
A Chinese language spy in Manila
On this unique, senior reporter Bea Cupin tells the story of Steve Zhang, allegedly a Chinese language agent from China’s Ministry of State Safety, posing as a international correspondent. The piece sparked discussions amongst protection and diplomacy circles, and has helped catalyze actions to guard the Philippines from malign affect and espionage operations. In 2025, the federal government is anticipated to push for laws to replace the nation’s outdated espionage and international brokers legal guidelines.
Giving flesh and blood to army technique
Even because the Philippines tries to handle tensions in its western waters, it’s additionally wanting up north, the place China’s tensions with Taiwan spell bother. Reporter Bea Cupin brings us to the brand new camp of the Philippine Marines’ 4th Brigade to provide a human face to the extremely technical and complicated difficulty of a shift in army technique underneath the Marcos administration.
A peek into Islamic moonsighting
Do you know that Muslims decide the beginning of Ramadan, the Islamic fasting month, by wanting on the moon? On this video, Rappler’s group, led by Paterno Esmaquel II, joins an Islamic moonsighting exercise for the primary time, going deeper into the lives of certainly one of our nation’s small but vital minorities.
An interfaith Christmas custom
Rappler visits the temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, previously often called the Mormon Church, and witnesses certainly one of their efforts to forge interfaith concord as a celebration of Christmas.
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