PHOwnership & classification
Founded: 1985
Ownership
The Philippine Daily Inquirer was founded in 1985 and was long controlled by the Rufino-Prieto family through Inquirer Holdings, Inc. In 2017 the family divested, and tycoon Ramon S. Ang (head of conglomerate San Miguel Corporation) acquired roughly an 85% majority stake, with Manny V. Pangilinan's group holding about 15%; the paper has since been restructured (publishing moved to Inquirer Interactive, Inc.). Editorial control thus now sits with Ang, a businessman with extensive government and corporate ties.
Funding
The paper is financed commercially through advertising and circulation/subscription revenue. It has historically been vulnerable to advertising pressure (e.g., a months-long pro-Estrada ad boycott), and is now backed by the deep pockets of its conglomerate owners rather than by state or party money.
Affiliation & stance
Once a fiercely independent, centre-left title, the Inquirer is now majority-owned by tycoon Ramon Ang, whose San Miguel empire is closely entwined with successive Philippine governments and large state-linked contracts. Because editorial control rests with a politically connected oligarch rather than independent commercial management, it is best classed as DEPENDENT.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 1553
80/100
Factual
81/100
Objective
1834
Articles
1833
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
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Recent coverage
SuperLotto 6/49 ticket wins ₱25.41M jackpot
A single ticket won the ₱25.41 million SuperLotto 6/49 jackpot during the draw held on August 23 in the Philippines. The winning numbers were 47-20-36-43-07-06, and the winner matched all six numbers. No one won the Ultra Lotto 6/58 jackpot in the same draw. The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office confirmed the results. The article provides the details of the lottery outcome but does not mention the identity of the winner or any additional context.
Cops nab suspect in Puerto Galera online shopping worker’s slay
Philippine police arrested a suspect in the killing of a 26-year-old online shopping worker in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro. The incident occurred on August 23, with the victim being shot shortly after 2 p.m. Local authorities identified the victim as a resident of Sitio Centro in Barangay Sto. Niño. The case remains under investigation, with no further details provided regarding the suspect or the circumstances of the crime.
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P1.4M in contraband cigarettes seized in Maguindanao del Norte
Police in Maguindanao del Norte, Philippines, seized approximately P1.4 million worth of contraband cigarettes during a law enforcement operation on August 21. Three individuals were arrested, and three vehicles, two Ford Rangers and a Toyota Vios, were confiscated. The cigarettes were discovered during a joint checkpoint operation in Barangay Bugasan, Matanog town. The drivers attempted to avoid the checkpoint but were stopped and found to lack proper documentation for transporting the goods. Authorities praised the coordination and professionalism of the officers involved in the seizure.
Boy drowns in Paluan, Occidental Mindoro
An eight-year-old boy drowned in Sitio Balang-an, Barangay Harrison, Paluan, Occidental Mindoro, on August 22, according to the Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog. The Coast Guard Sub-Station Paluan responded promptly to the incident and coordinated with local authorities for disaster risk reduction efforts. The article provides basic information about the event but does not elaborate on further details such as the cause of the drowning, any ongoing investigations, or community responses.
Company ‘fun day’ turns bloody as brother slain in drinking spree
A company 'fun day' event in Dangcagan, Bukidnon, turned violent when a 46-year-old man allegedly killed his 36-year-old brother during a drinking spree on August 22. The incident reportedly took place in the afternoon and was reported by local police. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the altercation, which resulted in a fatality. No further details about the individuals involved or the specific cause of the conflict were provided in the available information.
Girl reported missing found dead in Camarines Sur
A 15-year-old girl went missing on August 17 and was later discovered dead in a vacant lot in Goa, Camarines Sur. Initial forensic examination suggests she may have been strangled, according to police. The discovery was communicated by Police Col. Tyrone Dotimas via Viber message to the Philippine Daily Inquirer. The incident has raised concerns about missing persons cases and potential criminal activity in the area.
Abalos seeks jail time for those behind substandard Bulacan projects
Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos has demanded criminal charges against individuals responsible for poorly constructed flood control infrastructure in Bulacan, which has left local communities vulnerable to flooding. He made this statement while carrying out inspections ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., alongside Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon. The inspection was conducted in response to concerns over the quality and effectiveness of flood management projects in the region. Abalos emphasized that these failures have caused significant harm to the people of Bulacan, describing the situation as a severe abuse of public resources.
Cop’s hand severed in clash with armed man in Camarines Sur
A police officer in Camarines Sur, Philippines, lost his left hand during a confrontation with an armed assailant in San Jose on August 22. The incident occurred when the suspect attacked Officer Noli Miraña with a bolo. Police authorities confirmed the attack, but details about the suspect's identity, motive, or any arrests remain unclear. The event highlights ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in dealing with armed threats.
Saudel now a typhoon, LPA becomes tropical depression outside PAR
On August 22, 2026, Typhoon Saudel intensified into a typhoon outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), located 2,710 kilometers east of Northern Luzon, with maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h. A separate low pressure area (LPA) developed into a tropical depression 1,195 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao, moving westward at 10 km/h. Both systems are outside PAR but could potentially impact the region. PAGASA forecasts that Saudel may enter PAR by August 24, possibly enhancing the southwest monsoon and causing significant rainfall in Luzon. The tropical depression is currently moving west but could change direction later. PAGASA also monitors a remnant low from Tropical Depression Neneng, which has a medium chance of redevelopment within 24 hours.
Psychiatrist groups seek deferral of DepEd’s live-shooter drills
The Philippine Psychiatric Association (PPA) and the Philippine Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (PSCAP) have urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to delay its nationwide live-shooter drills, arguing that the exercises place students in 'hyper-realistic scenarios of violence.' The PPA and PSCAP expressed concerns about the psychological impact on children and adolescents, suggesting that such simulations could exacerbate anxiety and trauma. DepEd had previously issued a directive mandating schools to conduct these safety drills simultaneously across the country. The psychiatrists' call for deferral highlights growing debate over the balance between school safety measures and student well-being.
Tree buries house, but ‘bayanihan’ rises in Ilocos Sur
A family in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Sinait town, Ilocos Sur, had their home partially buried by a fallen tree after several days of heavy rain. Local residents and barangay officials, including village chairperson Edwin Santos Yago, came together to assist the affected family. The community effort, described as 'bayanihan', a Filipino term for collective unity and cooperation, highlighted the locals' resilience and solidarity in responding to the situation. The incident occurred in San Ildefonso, Ilocos Sur, and involved immediate action from local authorities.
Marcos EO puts focus on PH critical minerals
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed Executive Order No. 122, establishing a framework to develop the Philippines' critical minerals industry. This initiative aims to restructure the mining sector by promoting the privatization of state-owned critical mineral resources and accelerating the cancellation of inactive mining permits. The move signals a shift toward private-sector involvement in resource extraction and management, potentially altering the current landscape of mineral governance in the country.
P802-M proposed for counselors as campus violence raises alarm
The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports that the Marcos administration intends to allocate P802 million in 2027 to hire over 2,000 guidance counselors for state schools, aiming to enhance mental health support for students. This proposal was highlighted by House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan, who emphasized the need to address rising concerns about campus violence. The funding is part of a larger P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027, which includes creating 1,800 new positions. The initiative reflects growing awareness of student well-being issues and the role of school counselors in addressing them.