Media assets

Television: PTV 4 Manila, PTV 8 Cordillera, PTV 4 Ylocos, PTV 4 Palawan, PTV 4 Naga, PTV 2 Guimaras, PTV 10 Dumaguete, PTV 11 Cebu, PTV 8 Tacloban, PTV 12 Calbayog, PTV 7 Zamboanga, PTV 11 Sibugay, PTV 11 Davao, PTV 8 Agusan Del Sur, PTV 8 Cotabato, PTV 8 Kidapawan

State Media Matrix Typology

State-Controlled (SC)

Ownership and governance

PTV is operated by People’s Television Network, Inc. (PTNI), a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC) established through Republic Act No. 7306 and later amended to reflect structural changes. PTNI operates under the oversight of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), formerly known as the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO). The President of the Republic appoints five members to PTNI’s Board of Directors, granting the executive branch significant influence over both the governance and editorial direction of the network.

In June 2024, the PCO appointed Toby Nebrida as General Manager of PTV. His appointment was met with internal dissent, as some employees expressed concerns about a perceived lack of consultation and transparency in the selection process. Nebrida, a media executive with prior ties to the Malacañang communications team, succeeded acting general manager Rachel Madarang.

In March 2025, President Marcos Jr. and the PCO accepted Nebrida’s courtesy resignation. Oscar Orbos, a veteran television host and former Cabinet secretary, was designated Officer‑in‑Charge (OIC) General Manager, marking his brief tenure in an interim capacity.

Source of funding and budget

PTV has long relied on public subsidies allocated through the General Appropriations Act (GAA), which determines the annual national budget. While the network also generates supplementary income from advertising sales and the leasing of airtime to third-party producers, state funding has historically constituted the lion’s share of its operating budget.

According to the broadcaster’s annual reports, in 2020, PTNI received a total budget of PHP 785 million (approx. US$15.7 million), with over 78% sourced from government subsidies. In 2021, the total budget decreased slightly to PHP 780 million (US$15.5 million), with government funding accounting for nearly 72%. In 2022, state contributions were slashed to PHP 181 million, a drastic reduction that compelled the network to lean more heavily on commercial revenue.

Despite this temporary shift toward market-based income, government funding remains essential, particularly for capital expenditures and staffing. The GAA for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 continued to allocate funds to PTV, but with increased scrutiny amid broader calls for austerity and media sector reform.

PTV received a subsidy of approximately PHP 215.3 million in the 2025 General Appropriations Act, placing it second among PCO‑governed broadcasters (behind IBC‑13).

Editorial independence

Multiple interviews conducted with media professionals and civil society stakeholders in March–April 2024 and in February 2025 point to a sustained pattern of editorial interference from the executive branch. Journalists working within the network have described a work environment in which stories are routinely vetted—or outright dictated—by officials in the presidential communications office.

There are no legal guarantees enshrining editorial autonomy for PTV. On the contrary, the broadcaster self-identifies as “the country’s premier source of government news and information,” underscoring its institutional role as a mouthpiece for the administration rather than an independent public service broadcaster.

August 2025

Media assets

Radio: National- RP FM 1, RP FM 2, RP1 Metro Manila, RP2 Metro Manila; International- RP Worldwide; Local- DZAG Agoo, DWJS Albay, DZEQ Baguio, DWBT Batanes, DWFR Bontoc, DZMQ Dagupan, DWFB Laoag, DWLC Lucena, DWRB Naga, DWRM Palawan, DZRK Tabuk, DWRS Tayug, DWPE Tuguegarao, DWDF Virac, DYES Borongan, DYOG Calbayog, DYMR Cebu, DYLL Iloilo, DYSL Sogod, DXBN Butuan, DXIM Cagayan de Oro, DXRP Davao, DXRG Gingoog, DXSM Jolo, DXSO Marawi, DXJS Tandag, DXAS Tawi-tawi, DXMR Zamboanga

State Media Matrix Typology

State-Controlled (SC)

Ownership and governance

PBS functions under the umbrella of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO)—formerly the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO)—the executive communications arm of the Philippine presidency. The President of the Republic appoints the network’s key leadership, including its director and senior management, underscoring the broadcaster’s proximity to the country’s political centre.

There is no independent board or oversight mechanism to buffer PBS from direct government control. Management appointments are political in nature, reflecting the executive branch’s prerogative over state media institutions.

On May 22 and May 28, 2025, President Marcos Jr. issued a courtesy resignation directive requiring all heads of agencies and government‑owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), including CEOs and directors, to submit resignations for performance review. PBS leaders were included in this sweep.

As of June 2025, Fernando “Dindo” Amparo Sanga continues to serve as Director General of PBS, overseeing its network of national and regional stations. He did submit a courtesy resignation as required by President Marcos Jr.’s directive in May 2025, like other heads of agencies and GOCCs. However, there is no indication that he stepped down permanently or was replaced. This shows that the directive was a procedural step for performance review and reorganization, not an immediate removal from office.

Source of funding and budget

PBS relies primarily on public subsidies allocated through the General Appropriations Act (GAA), the government’s annual budget legislation. While the broadcaster supplements its income by selling airtime and advertising slots, particularly through its flagship station Radyo Pilipinas, state financing remains its financial lifeline.

In 2022, PBS operated on a total budget of PHP 456 million (approx. US$ 8.9 million), with more than half of that sum reportedly derived from government funding. In 2023, the national government increased PBS’s allocation slightly to PHP 466 million (approx. US$ 8.2 million, reflecting exchange rate differences). Under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), PBS received an allocation of PHP 466.2 million (~US$9.8 million), making it one of the larger budget shares within agencies attached to the Presidential Communications Office, according to the latest data available.

Despite being a relatively modest budget by international broadcasting standards, this allocation ensures the continued operation of multiple PBS stations nationwide. Financial statements disaggregating commercial revenue vs. public subsidies, however, remain unavailable.

Editorial independence

The editorial direction of PBS is closely aligned with the executive branch, with presidential messaging, flagship initiatives, and governmental priorities consistently dominating airtime. Content is often framed in ways that reinforce state policy and presidential legitimacy, with limited space for dissenting views or independent analysis.

Research conducted for this report in March–April 2024 and March 2025 found no legislative or regulatory provisions guaranteeing the editorial autonomy of PBS. There is likewise no independent oversight body to review its content or mandate journalistic standards.

August 2025

Media assets

Television: DZTV-TV (IBC-TV 13 Manila), IBC TV-6 Baguio, IBC TV-12 Iloio, IBC TV-13 Cebu, IBC TV-6 Palo, IBC TV-10 Cagayan de Oro, IBC TV-13 Davao

Radio: Radyo Budyong Kalibo, Radyo Budyong Roxas

State Media Matrix Typology

State-Controlled (SC)

Ownership and governance

IBC is wholly owned by the Philippine government and operates under the Presidential Communications Office (PCO)—formerly known as the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO)—which serves as the central communications arm of the executive branch. IBC forms part of the state media triad alongside People’s Television Network (PTV) and the Philippine Broadcasting Service (PBS).

Since early 2020, the government has promoted IBC’s transformation into a more educationally oriented broadcaster, aligning with broader public sector communication reforms. In January 2023, the House of Representatives approved a 25-year renewal of IBC’s legislative franchise, thereby extending its legal mandate until 2048.

Despite the franchise renewal, the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has reaffirmed its intention to privatize IBC, citing inefficiencies and the need for modernization through private sector investment. The privatization process, initially signaled in late 2022, has gathered pace in 2025: according to official statements released in April 2025, the Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCC) Governance Commission has been working with the Department of Finance and the PCO to identify potential buyers and craft divestment terms.

Source of funding and budget

According to IBC’s most recent available financial disclosures, the broadcaster earned a total income of PHP 653 million(approximately US$13 million) in 2021. Of this, more than two-thirds (66%) was sourced from government subsidies and allocations.

However, the network faced a substantial financial crisis in 2023. Following a government decision to exclude IBC from the 2024 General Appropriations Act, the station’s management made an urgent funding appeal to Congress in August 2023. The Budget Department clarified that this exclusion was linked to the planned privatization, with the rationale that IBC should no longer rely on public funds once its transition to private ownership begins.

As of mid-2025, IBC remains operational but on a reduced budget, relying largely on internal revenue and ad sales while awaiting the final outcome of the privatization process.

Editorial independence

IBC’s editorial agenda and institutional decision-making are firmly under the control of the executive branch, with the Presidential Communications Office exercising direct oversight. This includes appointment powers over top executives, strategic content direction, and operational priorities. No independent regulatory or oversight body currently monitors IBC’s editorial performance or ensures its journalistic impartiality.

August 2025

Media assets

News agency: PNA

State Media Matrix Typology

State-Controlled (SC)

Ownership and governance

PNA functions as a subordinate agency of the News and Information Bureau (NIB), which in turn falls under the jurisdiction of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO)—the main communications arm of the Office of the President. Key personnel appointments, including the agency’s leadership and editorial direction, are managed directly by the PCO, leaving limited room for institutional autonomy.

Source of funding & budget

The agency is wholly funded by the national government. According to official data, PNA’s budget in 2020 stood at PHP 120 million (approximately USD 2.5 million), with over 90% sourced from state appropriations.

While more recent budget figures have not been publicly disclosed, the Marcos Jr. administration has maintained its policy of investing in the modernization of state-run media platforms. These efforts, part of a broader push to digitize and “professionalize” government communication infrastructure, have included updates to PNA’s web platform and the integration of multimedia content production capabilities.

However, critics argue that such investments have not been matched by improvements in editorial standards or transparency. Concerns persist that modernization has been geared more toward amplifying government messaging than fostering journalistic excellence.

Editorial independence

PNA operates under direct government control, with its editorial direction aligned closely with the communication priorities of the incumbent administration. Decisions regarding story selection, tone, and narrative framing are widely understood to reflect presidential directives rather than independent journalistic judgment.

To date, no external or independent oversight mechanism exists to monitor or evaluate the agency’s editorial performance or integrity. The agency has faced multiple public criticisms for publishing partisan content and, at times, disseminating misleading or unverified information. For instance, in 2023 and early 2024, PNA drew criticism from press freedom advocates for running stories that closely mirrored administration talking points without sufficient context or verification.

July 2025

Media assets

News agency: PIA

State Media Matrix Typology

State-Controlled (SC)

Ownership and governance

PIA operates under the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and is led by a Director-General, a position equivalent in rank to an Undersecretary. The Director-General reports directly to the Secretary of the PCO, ensuring that the agency’s communications strategy remains closely aligned with the policy direction of the Office of the President. This vertical chain of command leaves little room for institutional autonomy.

Since October 3, 2024, Katherine Chloe S. De Castro has served as PIA’s Director-General, confirmed in the cabinet list as head of the agency under the Presidential Communications Office.

Source of funding and budget

The agency is entirely reliant on public funding, and its financial operations are enshrined in the General Appropriations Act.

In 2021, PIA operated with a budget exceeding PHP 430 million (approx. US$8.6 million). In 2022, its allocation dropped to PHP 343 million (approx. US$6 million). The 2023 budget held steady at PHP 340 million (approx. US$6 million), indicating a flatlining of operational capacity in real terms amid inflationary pressures. For 2025, government sources report an approved budget of PHP 440 million (approx. US$8.8 million), marking a return to pre-pandemic funding levels.

Despite fluctuations, the agency has consistently been prioritized as a strategic communication tool for the executive branch, particularly in periods of heightened political messaging or national campaigns.

Editorial independence

According to its official mandate, the PIA exists “to provide people with accurate, timely, and relevant information” on government programs, services, and development initiatives. In practice, however, PIA functions as an arm of the state’s communications machinery, echoing the administration’s narratives across its platforms.

Independent media professionals and local journalists interviewed for this report in March–April 2023, March 2024 and March 2025 consistently described PIA as lacking editorial independence. Editorial decisions, they reported, are dictated by senior government officials, with content vetted to reflect the interests and policies of the incumbent administration. The agency’s information products, press releases, radio broadcasts, social media content, and regional bulletins, are crafted with the primary aim of bolstering the government’s public image.

As of mid-2025, there is still no external, independent review of the agency’s editorial standards or output. The absence of such oversight reinforces the widespread perception that PIA serves as a government mouthpiece rather than a journalistic institution.

July 2025

Media assets

News agency: RTVM

State Media Matrix Typology

State-Controlled (SC)

Ownership and governance

RTVM operates as a specialized unit under the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the executive agency responsible for managing the government’s overall communications strategy. As a bureau-level entity within the PCO, RTVM’s leadership and direction fall directly under the purview of the presidential administration. Its operational framework and responsibilities are delineated in Executive Order No. 297, which remains its founding legal instrument.

As of mid‑2025, Franz Gerard R. Imperial serves as Executive Director of RTVM, reporting to PCO Secretary Dave Gomez. He assumed the position in 2023 and continues in 2025.

Source of funding and budget

RTVM is fully state-funded, with its annual budget determined through the national appropriations process. In 2022, the agency was allocated PHP 171.9 million (approx. US$ 3.4 million). By 2025, the budget has significantly increased to PHP 256.5 million (approx. US$ 5.1 million), as indicated in government budgetary documents. The rise in funding reflects a broader trend of bolstering state communications infrastructure under the Marcos Jr. administration.

No revenue-generating or commercial operations have been reported. RTVM’s mandate is exclusively public service, and it does not engage in commercial advertising or independent content production.

Editorial independence

RTVM functions primarily as a production and broadcast service for the President and is not intended to operate as an independent journalistic outlet. Its principal role is to provide live and recorded coverage of the President’s official activities, including public addresses, ceremonial events, international engagements, and executive briefings. This content is then made available for rebroadcast by other media organizations.

According to the RTVM Operations Handbook, the agency’s core mission is “to provide the necessary media services to the incumbent President.” As such, editorial content is intrinsically aligned with the priorities and messaging of the presidential office. All editorial decisions—including production focus, scripting, and dissemination—are tightly controlled by the Office of the President.

To date, there is no independent oversight or third-party mechanism in place to evaluate RTVM’s editorial objectivity, accuracy, or public service quality. The absence of any internal ombudsman, editorial board, or external regulatory review limits transparency and reinforces RTVM’s position as a government communications apparatus rather than a public broadcaster.

July 2025

Media assets

Publishing: Balita Central, Executive Action

State Media Matrix Typology

State-Controlled (SC)

Ownership and governance

BCS operates under the direct oversight of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), formerly known as the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO). It was formally established through Executive Order No. 297, signed by President Corazon C. Aquino in 1987. The agency’s leadership is appointed by the Office of the President, which retains executive control over its operations and strategic direction.

As of mid‑2025, Atty. Shiela Marie B. Edubas was appointed as the 7th Director of BCS, a shift from previous arrangements under an acting officer-in-charge.

Jaybee “Jay” Ruiz served as PCO Secretary from February 24 to July 8, 2025, having been appointed following Cesar Chavez’s resignation. He held broad oversight over agencies including BCS. On July 10, 2025, Ruiz was replaced by Dave Gomez, a veteran marketing executive, as Secretary of the PCO—making him the senior official overseeing BCS operations. Ruiz was subsequently appointed to the Board of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office in Taiwan.

Source of funding and budget

The Bureau is wholly financed by the national government. In 2022, it received an allocation of PHP 75.1 million (approximately US$1.3 million). According to official budget documents and corroborated by media reporting in early 2025, the national budget for BCS has been increased to PHP 79.9 million for the fiscal year 2025. This modest rise reflects a continued commitment to maintaining centralized government communication efforts despite broader fiscal tightening across some government agencies.

Editorial independence

BCS functions primarily as an official content producer for the executive branch and has been explicitly tasked with promoting the administration’s initiatives. As such, its editorial line is closely aligned with the priorities of the sitting president. Reports from local media monitoring groups and journalists in March–April 2024 reaffirmed the bureau’s role as a communications vehicle rather than an independent journalistic institution.

As of mid-2025, no legal provisions guarantee editorial autonomy for BCS, nor does any statutory framework exist to insulate it from political influence. Additionally, there is no publicly available independent audit or assessment mechanism to evaluate the bureau’s editorial integrity or adherence to journalistic standards. This absence of external oversight continues to raise concerns among media observers regarding transparency and the politicization of public communication.

July 2025