MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Just days after the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford University released its 2023 Digital News Report, Maria Ressa and her Rapplerettes immediately went on damage control.
The report named Rappler the least-trusted news brand in the Philippines, the fourth year in a row.
Rappler abandoned its appeal for donations and instead opened its online portal for free access by anyone who registers. It appears to be a desperate attempt to boost its sagging number of subscribers and followers.
One doesn’t have to actually read their fake stories. But signing up may have some perks in the future, like perhaps, free coffee mugs or baseball caps? Maybe, even a dinner date with Ressa?
MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – GMA News, the most-trusted news brand in the Philippines according to a Reuter’s digital survey, is reporting that the government is offering a monetary reward for the importation of two high-profile men on its “wanted” list.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) offered P2-million reward for any information that would lead to the arrest of former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director Gerald Bantag and another P1-million reward for the arrest of his deputy, Ricardo Zulueta.
Bantag and Zulueta are facing two separate cases of murder before the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court and the Las Piñas RTC for the death of Bilibid inmate Jun Villamor and broadcaster Percival Mabasa or Percy Lapid.
It wasn’t clear whether or not the recipients of the monetary reward will have to shoulder the Customs duties for the importation of Bantag and Zulueta.
MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – She is, after all, a Nobel Laureate, supposedly honored for her advocacy on freedom of information. Her reporting career has taken her to war zones, including the Philippines. And she is the CEO of the least-trusted news brand in the country.
So why wasn’t convicted criminal Maria Ressa invited to keynote the International Conference of Information Commissioners held this week in Manila? She would have been the perfect speaker to address this elite group of information officers.
We reached out to the secretariat of the conference and asked the dreaded question.
Their response:
“This is a conference on information, not disinformation.”
The Adobo Chronicles 
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