As INQUIRER.net approaches its 28th anniversary on October 26, 2025, the newsroom finds itself reflecting on a year marked by seismic events in the Philippines. The past twelve months have seen the outlet’s reporters chronicle everything from the historic impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte to the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Alongside these headline-grabbing moments, the Inquirer’s journalists have also navigated the complexities of elections, corruption scandals, and the nation’s ever-shifting social landscape, all while their own institution underwent a significant merger with the storied Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Yet, as the Inquirer’s reporters tell it, these changes have only sharpened their collective focus on the mission that’s guided them since 1997: telling the stories that matter most, through dogged reporting both in the halls of power and on the streets where history unfolds.
For Gabryelle Dumalag, the past three months as a defense reporter have been a trial by fire. After two years as an editorial production assistant, Dumalag found herself on the choppy waters of the West Philippine Sea, covering joint maritime drills between the Philippines and the United States. The presence of Chinese Coast Guard and People’s Liberation Army–Navy vessels nearby added tension and urgency to her work. "Information often came in bits and pieces from government agencies, foreign counterparts, and independent trackers, and verifying everything under time pressure was tough," Dumalag explained to INQUIRER.net. "I learned to slow down where it mattered and double-check everything, even when the clock was ticking. I relied a lot on verifying with multiple credible sources and coordinating closely with editors so we could be fast but still accurate."
Meanwhile, Gabriel Lalu, a veteran of the House of Representatives beat since 2018, traveled halfway around the world in April 2024 to cover a trilateral summit in Washington, D.C. between the Philippines, the United States, and Japan. The summit, one of the most significant events in trade and security cooperation in recent memory, underscored the "ironclad" ties between the three nations amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific. "It’s taxing not only on the mind but also on the body. That’s why those covering foreign trips, especially in the United States, must be both physically and mentally fit," Lalu said. "This coverage was also one of the most important events in the field of trade and security cooperation, as it solidified the ‘ironclad’ ties between the three countries, especially amid geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific region."
Some of the most challenging stories have involved making sense of history as it happens. Kathleen de Villa, who spent eight years as a researcher before moving to field reporting, was part of the team that sifted through whistleblower Benhur Luy’s files to expose the pork barrel scam in 2013. More recently, Faith Argosino covered the Sandiganbayan’s promulgation of the decision in the pork barrel case against former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile. As of October 24, 2025, Enrile was cleared in all pork barrel cases, a fact reported by INQUIRER.net and confirmed by other outlets.
"I was new to the graft and corruption beat then and didn’t know much about the pork barrel scam case, so I was extremely nervous," Argosino admitted. But with careful preparation and collaboration with colleagues, she was able to report on the final legal chapter of a saga that had gripped the nation for over a decade.
Charie Abarca, who has covered the Senate for two years, faced her own trial in reporting on the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte—the first such impeachment in Philippine history. Although the case was ultimately archived by the Senate, the process was anything but straightforward. "It was strenuous to cover and difficult to follow," Abarca said. "I had to read numerous stories and previous cases related to articles of impeachment against vice presidents to fully grasp the process."
For defense reporter John Eric Mendoza, the assignment came suddenly: cover the government’s turnover of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the ICC at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The event, which took place on May 30, 2025, was charged with emotion. "The supporters outside were angry. Many were crying and were inconsolable after the takeoff. They lashed out at the media too, accusing us of being biased. Some of them threatened to burn our media vans," Mendoza recalled. "It was a long and intense day, but I am grateful for witnessing that historic event. Because, for better or worse, our country will never be the same again." According to INQUIRER.net, the ICC upheld jurisdiction over Duterte’s case as of October 24, 2025.
Mary Joy Salcedo, who joined the Inquirer in May 2025, has been pursuing the government’s probe into alleged anomalies in flood control projects. "We, the ICI beat reporters, even sometimes quip and call ourselves ‘runners’ or ‘marathoners’ for running toward personalities who try to escape the media," Salcedo said. "We literally chase them to conduct an interview and for us to serve our purpose of delivering important news to the public."
But not all history is made in government offices. On September 21, 2025, Gillian Villanueva covered two massive rallies condemning government corruption. "It’s always difficult because you have to listen to the speakers while also paying attention to who’s in the crowd," Villanueva said. Newcomer Keith Clores, who joined the Inquirer two months ago, was immediately assigned to cover anti-corruption protests, including a walkout at De La Salle University. "The lack of certainty made me keep my eyes peeled for anything that could happen," Clores said.
Everyday stories also unfold in the bustling streets of Manila. Dianne Sampang and Luisa Cabato covered the annual Feast of the Black Nazarene procession, facing obstacles like signal jamming and the sheer physical toll of keeping up with millions of devotees. "Aside from the signal jamming which prevented me from tweeting updates and sending stories in real time, it was my fear in crowded areas and physical exhaustion from the procession that made it extra challenging for me," Sampang said. "I needed to be in my best physical condition for the coverage while also maintaining a sharp eye for stories and producing newsworthy content," Cabato added.
Amid the deluge of news, Inquirer reporters are reminded of the people behind the headlines. Justice reporter Jane Bautista, who has been a journalist for six years, once visited a shelter for disadvantaged children in Bacolod City. There, a young girl clung to her, afraid to return home. "Before our delegation left the NGO to head back to our hotel, she asked me, ‘Ate, please don’t forget about me,’" Bautista recalled. "That experience taught me a lot about the importance of processing difficult situations we go through as journalists, empathy, and responsible storytelling, especially when reporting on vulnerable sectors."
Dexter Cabalza, who started as an editorial production assistant in 2014 and now covers the metro beat, has spent years reporting on the families affected by Duterte’s drug war. "At one point, I think by 2018, I got tired and overwhelmed reporting all the deaths. I also felt helpless since I did not know how to help the families aside from telling their stories," Cabalza said. "Sometimes, I use this as a motivation to continue working because I owe it to the victims killed and those they left behind."
Krixia Subingsubing’s coverage of the case of Kian delos Santos—the 11th grader killed by police in 2017—spanned from the wake to the burial to the conviction of his killers. "I felt a grave sense of responsibility to not abandon my sources and my stories and to not treat them as mere bylines, and that sense of duty has since guided me in all my coverages," Subingsubing said.
As INQUIRER.net marks another milestone, its reporters’ commitment to chronicling the nation’s most urgent and human stories remains as steadfast as ever, through every challenge and every turning point.
