In the Public Square: The 2026 political outlook

The year 2025 was politically pivotal: an impeachment, an Interpol arrest, a mid-term election, an unexpected Supreme Court decision, a massive corruption scandal. But 2026 promises, or threatens, to be even more crucial.

We surveyed three public intellectuals or political or cultural analysts, and asked them: What is the political outlook like for the Philippines in the coming year?

In this episode of In the Public Square, Rappler columnist John Nery is joined by Dean Tony La Viña, one of the country’s leading public intellectuals. He is also human rights lawyer, a climate activist, the president of the Movement Against Disinformation, and a professor of law.

Marian Pastor Roces, a long-time cultural critic and a creator and curator of museums, is and has been heavily involved in many civil society initiatives including Media Nation and Bayanihan Musikahan.

Ronald Llamas was presidential adviser for political affairs under the second Aquino administration and is today one of the country’s most sought-after political analysts.

Watch the episode on Wednesday, January 7, at 8 pm. – Rappler.com