Inquirer report on PH debt wins CMMA

MANILA, Philippines — The Inquirer’s two-part special report on the country’s growing debt, its historical and legal origins as well as impact on government spending and funding for public services won Best News Coverage in the 48th Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA).

The report was written by Krixia Subingsubing, Nyah de Leon and Dexter Cabalza, with Inquirer Research.

The first part titled, “Debt service eats up biggest slice of budget pie,” and published on Jan. 19 examined how debt servicing consumes a huge share of the national budget each year, often with little scrutiny from Congress before funds are allocated to other priorities.

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Other finalists

The second part, “PH debt stock projected to hit P19T by end of 2026,” which was published the next day, delved into how government borrowing could push the country’s debt beyond P19 trillion by end-2026, citing President Marcos’ justification of government debt as an investment in growth.

The special report included views from World Bank senior economist Jaffar Al-Rikabi, People’s Budget Coalition coconvener and economist Adolfo Jose Montesa, former Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad, and Freedom from Debt Coalition Secretary General Rovik Obanil.

The Inquirer’s coverage of the International Criminal Court (ICC) proceedings on the crimes against humanity case against former President Rodrigo Duterte, as reported by Kathleen de Villa from The Hague in the Netherlands, was also a finalist in the Best News Coverage category.

De Villa’s entry consisted of three reports: “ICC prosecutor shrugs off Duterte defense hitting media, witnesses;” “From ICC press row: Du30 not in court ‘just feels wrong;’” and “When the drug war ‘Pieta’ reached The Hague.”

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Three other Inquirer stories were likewise finalists in different categories.

Kurt dela Peña’s “Lives Lost Too Soon: Children Not Spared in Duterte Drug War” and Gillian Villanueva’s “Where Priests Train for Battles of ‘Liberation’” were picked for Best Special Feature.

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On the other hand, Cristina Eloisa Baclig’s “Dead and Drowned: Cemeteries Vanish as Seas, Floods Rise” competed for Best Investigative Report.

Human connection

CMMA executive director and trustee Rev. Fr. Joselito Buenafe said this year’s celebration carried the theme “Preserving Human Voices and Faces,” as inspired by the message of World Communications Day 2026. It highlighted the importance of preserving human connection in a world increasingly shaped by technology.

“Behind every story is a person. Behind every image is a human experience. And behind every message is a voice that deserves to be heard,” Buenafe said on Saturday during the online announcement of the winners in the various categories.

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“As media continues to evolve, may we never lose sight of the human person. May our work preserve truth, dignity, compassion and the stories that connect us as one family,” he added. /cb