[Inside the Newsroom] Journalism is selective provided that you suppose it’s

‘Engaged on the information was the better a part of the investigation…. The tougher half was to search for sources who would go on report and show the closeness between the Dutertes and the Escandors.’

Is journalism actually selective? 

Or is that this simply an excuse for people who find themselves not able to confront the truth that their “idols” usually are not infallible? 

Hiya, I’m Jairo Bolledo, the reporter behind Rappler’s investigation into the Genesis88 building agency that bagged a lot of the flood management initiatives in your entire Davao Area. 

Businessman Glenn Escandor, a longtime buddy of the Dutertes, owns the stated agency. The initiatives, amounting to P2.9 billion, had been all in Davao Metropolis — Duterte turf.

For the 2025 elections, my newsroom assigned me to cowl the Davao Area. That was after I obtained familiarized with how the highly effective Duterte household runs their bailiwick, and with the important thing those who profit from their energy. 

Thus, when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. launched his web site of flood management venture contractors, my prompt response was to search for the companies intently tied to the Dutertes. 

We had been in a position to collect info concerning the contracts bagged by CLTG Builders – owned by Senator Bong Go’s father – with the companies owned by the controversial Discaya couple. 

After the CLTG story, I proceeded to my investigation into Genesis88. To show my hunch that this agency was a prime contractor, I analyzed our current database of contractors. 

After I noticed that the agency certainly bagged a lot of the initiatives within the area, I began trying into the opposite nitty-gritty particulars, such because the initiatives’ places, the quantity of contracts, and the agency’s background. 

I need to say, engaged on the information was the better a part of the investigation (although nonetheless taxing). The tougher half was to search for sources who would go on report and show the closeness between the Dutertes and the Escandors. 

There have been accessible secondary sources on-line, which I cited to show the ties between the 2 households, however I didn’t cease there. In my thoughts, I wanted a “individuals path” (interviews) to solidify this side of my report. 

I stumbled upon sources aware of the ties between the 2 households. These dependable informants — having the center for accountability — willingly shared what they knew.

After I completed my story, I reached out to Escandor’s firms to request an interview, or on the very least a press release that we might embody within the story. I did the identical to the places of work of Vice President Sara Duterte and Consultant Paolo “Pulong” Duterte.

Solely Pulong has responded up to now, however Rappler will replace our story as soon as we hear from the Vice President and Escandor. 

Similar to what occurred after the publication of our Bong Go story, the Escandor report triggered a wave of feedback defending the Dutertes and their allies. 

A few of these supporters declare that our newsroom is selective in selecting the contractors that we probe, that we’re solely targeted on probing the Dutertes and their allies. 

That is false. 

Our newsroom had printed a variety of tales about different contractors and their ties to lawmakers even earlier than we got here up with our CLTG and Escandor tales. 

Senior reporter Lian Buan had written tales about politicians having ties to native contractors in Ilocos Norte and Isabela, amongst others. 

Multimedia reporter Dwight de Leon had uncovered the contracts bagged by the companies owned by Ako Bicol Consultant Zaldy Co and his brother even earlier than the problem of flood management initiatives took heart stage.  

We’ve a dwell map displaying “politicontractors” — public officers recognized to have hyperlinks with contractors — and their domains, primarily based on the studies by Rappler and different credible media organizations. 

We even have an inner listing of congressmen and ladies about whom we have now obtained ideas from our sources and the neighborhood. We pursue strong leads as they arrive alongside, as our manpower and assets are restricted. We prioritize tales in response to the general public’s want for it. 

One other actuality is that investigative journalism is demanding — when it comes to each money and time. 

That is the place we’d like you, readers. 

Your sign-up for Rappler Plus membership or donation to our investigative fund would assist us maintain our ongoing efforts to carry corrupt actors to account. Your help to Rappler is a help to our nation’s struggle towards corruption.

Assist us probe those that wronged our nation. – Rappler.com