Wikipedia

Oust Duterte matrix

The Oust Duterte matrix was a diagram released on April 22, 2019, after the Ang Totoong Narcolist YouTube channel controversy, where the channel speculated involvement of Duterte in drug syndicates. The matrix showed links between journalists and organizations with plans to oust President Rodrigo Duterte. It was released by Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, saying that it underwent "proper validation". The matrix named journalists from multiple news websites including the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism and Rappler. Another version was released on May 8 along with a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation. People who were included in the matrix denied they had plans to oust Duterte. Following the release of the matrix, one of the groups sought government protection from harassment, while a newspaper editor resigned.

Background

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In an interview with Rappler in late 2015, Duterte announced his candidacy for president in the 2016 Philippine presidential election.[1] He filed his Certificate of Candidacy for the elections a few days later, withdrawing from the mayoral race of Davao City.[2] After intense competition, he won with a total vote count of 16.6 million.[3] His presidency was controversial, marked by an intensive crackdown on illegal drugs. In his first 100 days, the Philippine National Police (PNP) killed approximately 3,600 people, with thousands of raids conducted. Because of this, he was criticized by the United Nations, the European Union, and other organizations.[4] An ouster plot was announced by Duterte on September 8, 2018. It was allegedly planned by the Communist Party of the Philippines.[5] After the announcement, the alleged plot "fell apart" according to Politician Delfin Lorenzana.[6] A YouTube channel, named "Ang Totoong Narcolist", was created on April 5, 2019, alleging the involvement of Duterte in drug syndicates.[7] Because of the videos, the perpetrator and Senator Antonio Trillanes were charged with sedition.[8]

Release and information

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Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo holding a copy of the matrix.

After the "Ang Totoong Narcolist" YouTube channel caused controversy, a matrix was announced by Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo on April 22. The Manila Times published the diagram before its official release by Malacañang, prompting Panelo to question how the newspaper obtained it early. The matrix allegedly contained the names of journalists and organizations who want to oust Duterte, with journalists from the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) and Rappler. Panelo said that there was a "basis to release it" and that the matrix underwent "proper validation", stating that "the President has so many sources, so he got the matrix from one of his sources." He also shared the possibility of the journalists "feeding their stories to the enemies of the state."[9] Another version of the matrix was released on May 8, with a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation to support the claims. The other version included "active online collaboration" between former presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda and other people, Journalist Ellen Tordesillas being part of "controversy" along with the Liberal Party and the Magdalo Party-List, and other alleged links.[10]

Reactions

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Filipino Olympian Hidilyn Diaz was "shocked" over her inclusion in the matrix. In a post shared on May 8, Diaz joked about her inclusion.[11] Maria Ressa, the CEO of Rappler who was included in the matrix, said that it was "garbage" and a "Palace ploy to harass journalists." Ellen Tordesillas, an editor of Vera Files which was also included in the matrix, denied the allegations, stating that it was "downright false". The PCIJ said the report was "wrong on many points", saying that they have never received an email from Tordesillas about the YouTube channel. The rest of Rappler said that the report was an example of "how not to write an investigative report or even straight news."[12] A former member of the National Union of Peoples' Lawyers, Inday Espina-Verona, and a former member of Vera Files, Luz Rumban, both said that they left their respective companies, with Rumban leaving in 2018.[13] Magdalo Party-List Representative and opposition Gary Alejano branded the matrix as "utterly irresponsible" in a press briefing on April 22, demanding Panelo and Duterte resign over it.[14]

Aftermath

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The National Union of Peoples' Lawyers asked the Supreme Court of the Philippines for government protection after harassment related to their involvement in the matrix. The group submitted an eight-page manifestation detailing the harassment.[15] An editor for The Manila Times resigned on April 26 because the early article was "poorly sourced". In an interview that he was asked to resign from the newspaper. He said that it could have been written in a journalistic manner but appeared to be "an opinion piece".[16]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Ranada, Pia (November 21, 2015). "Rodrigo Duterte: I am running for president". Rappler. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  2. ^ Diola, Camille (November 26, 2015). "Rodrigo Duterte formalizes presidential bid". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  3. ^ "Duterte wins Philippine presidency in official count". Al Jazeera. May 27, 2016. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  4. ^ "A look at the 1st 100 days of Duterte's phenomenal rule". Philippine Daily Inquirer. October 8, 2016. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  5. ^ Esmaquel, Paterno II (September 25, 2018). "Duterte says soldiers 'in cahoots' with opposition to oust him". Rappler. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  6. ^ Talabong, Rambo (December 19, 2018). "2018 blockbuster: Red October plot vs Duterte". Rappler. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
  7. ^ Tordesillas, Ellen T. (April 5, 2019). "Battle of Narco lists". VERA Files. Retrieved August 9, 2025.
  8. ^ Buan, Lian (February 10, 2020). "DOJ clears Robredo, charges Trillanes in sedition case". Rappler. Retrieved August 9, 2025.
  9. ^ Parrocha, Azer (April 22, 2019). "Palace bares 'Oust-Duterte' matrix". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  10. ^ Ranada, Pia (May 8, 2019). "Malacañang releases new diagrams on 'conspiracy' to discredit Duterte". Rappler. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  11. ^ "FLASHBACK: The day Hidilyn was shocked over inclusion in oust-Duterte matrix". Philippine Daily Inquirer. July 26, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  12. ^ Elemia, Camille (April 22, 2019). "'False, garbage' – Maria Ressa, Ellen Tordesillas, PCIJ on Duterte 'ouster plot'". Rappler. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  13. ^ "Palace-vetted 'conspiracy matrix' to oust Duterte has errors". The Philippine Star. April 22, 2019. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  14. ^ Roxas, Pathricia Ann V. (May 3, 2019). "Alejano dares Duterte, Panelo: Resign over 'irresponsible Oust Duterte matrix'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  15. ^ Buan, Lian (April 25, 2019). "NUPL asks Supreme Court for protection order after 'Oust Duterte matrix' tag". Rappler. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  16. ^ Viray, Patricia Lourdes (April 26, 2019). "Ouster matrix story 'poorly sourced,' resigned Times editor says". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
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