Rappler's latest stories on Otso Diretso
2019: A bad year to be in the opposition
Here are the 6 times the political opposition took a major hit from the Duterte administration in 2019
[OPINION] The 'problem-solving' impulse and the limits of state power
How much power should the President have? Depends on who you ask.
After tough loss in midterm polls, Otso Diretso has eyes set on 2022
The disappointing defeat of the opposition senatorial candidates only pushes the slate to continue the fight beyond the halls of the Senate
[OPINION] Rekindling hope in new breed of alternative leaders
What our recent experience tells us is that there is hope, imperceptible at first glance but solid at a second moment of reflection
[OPINION] Disheartening but unsurprising: On the 2019 midterm elections
With the rise of populism worldwide and growing assertiveness of authoritarian regimes everywhere, it is possible that we are now entering the reverse wave period – the Philippines included
Otso Diretso ran 'defensive' campaign in 2019 – Walden Bello
The ex-Akbayan congressman stresses the importance of defending democratic values, but the opposition also needs to come up with new strategies that go beyond 'old responses' to society's problems
FALSE: Villegas, Tagle 'say followers are traitors' for not voting for Otso Diretso
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines says the claim is 'fake news and propaganda'
Bam Aquino's reelection loss: A case of miscalculation?
(3rd UPDATE) When Bam Aquino hinged his campaign on the failures of the TRAIN law, he failed to take into account that President Duterte's popularity had recovered from that, says political scientist Gene Pilapil
LP leaders Pangilinan, Belmonte resign after Otso Diretso loses elections
(3rd UPDATE) Both LP officials claim 'command responsibility' over the loss of the Otso Diretso senatorial candidates, but party chair Vice President Leni Robredo does not accept their resignation
FALSE: VP Leni Robredo ‘promised’ to step down if no Otso Diretso bet wins
The claim originated from a website that's known for spreading misleading information
Malacañang offers 'hand of friendship' to opposition
There's room for dissent as long as it's 'constructive,' says Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo
[OPINION] To our opposition slate, it was an honor losing with you
They are reminders that there are heroes in our midst who, in time of utmost desperation, selflessly took the enormous enemy head on. They might have lost in the polls but they embody what remains of our democratic aspirations.
Chel Diokno to teary-eyed supporters: ‘I will never forget the love you gave me’
'I’m not at all sad at the outcome of this elections... What is important is the light that we have shone in the darkness,' says opposition senatorial candidate Chel Diokno
In Bicol, 4 Otso Diretso candidates make it to Magic 12
Senatorial candidates Bam Aquino, Mar Roxas, Chel Diokno, and Gary Alejano are in the winners' circle for the region of Bicol
Robredo: No matter the election results, Otso Diretso's fight continues
'Paghugutan natin ng lakas ang bawat isa. Marami pa tayong kailangan gawin at marami pa tayong magagawa,' says Vice President Leni Robredo
Otso Diretso not conceding the fight just yet for Aquino, Roxas
The defeated opposition senatorial bets are hoping that their colleagues Bam Aquino and Mar Roxas can still make it to the Magic 12
Opposition bets failed to counter Duterte strongman myth – analyst
Political science instructor Arjan Aguirre says the opposition should have united to attack the narrative that people need to rely on strongman rule
Otso Diretso says 'victory' in drawing clear lines vs admin
'If you don't agree with what is going on in our country, if you don't like the direction where it's going, support us,' says Otso Diretso spokesperson Barry Gutierrez
As initial votes come in, somber yet hopeful mood at Otso Diretso HQ
Erin Tañada is the only Otso Diretso candidate at their Cubao headquarters on election night
Duterte makes last pitch for his Senate slate
'If you believe in Bikoy, kindly vote for Otso Diretso,' the President says in his winding speech during PDP-Laban's miting de avance
[OPINION] Reality check on Otso Diretso’s volunteer-driven campaign
Is ‘all out, all heart’ enough?
Short stories on the campaign trail: An Otso Diretso volunteer's account
In efforts to campaign for candidates of conscience from Otso Diretso, one truly receives more than one can imagine: people, moments, memories for a lifetime – mostly, sources of hope
Opposition bets urge voters to choose an independent Senate
Opposition bet Neri Colmenares says: 'Kapag lumabas ang ating balwarte, ang simbahan, ang manggagawa at ang kabataan, tiyak, ang independent at progressive candidates ay magtatagumpay sa Halalan 2019'
Church says Tagle, CBCP didn't endorse Otso Diretso
Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle endorsed a process of discernment, not a specific set of candidates, in the May 13 elections
Newsbreak Chats: Does the opposition slate stand a chance?
On Thursday, May 9, Rappler reporters Lian Buan and Mara Cepeda join Newsbreak Chats to analyze the Otso Diretso campaign and the possibility of them winning on May 13
Otso Diretso bets' promise: We won't steal public funds if elected
The opposition candidates also vow to bring independence to the Senate, saying it cannot be a chamber that simply bows to the whims of the Duterte administration
Otso Diretso thanks rain-soaked supporters: 'You are the spirit of this campaign'
Heavy rain pours during the opposition senatorial ticket's thanksgiving concert at the UP Sunken Garden. But the crowd stays to listen to their speeches.
Otso Diretso to make last stand in miting de avance at UP Diliman
(UPDATED) Several bands, singers, and spoken word artists are going to perform during the miting de avance, including Autotelic, Truefaith, Noel Cabangon, and Ebe Dancel
CBCP lay arm endorses Otso Diretso, 2 other Senate bets
'We believe we need an independent Senate,' says Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas president Julieta Wasan, adding they cannot anymore remain nonpartisan
Otso Diretso hopes to stage another ‘revolution’ in historic Kawit, Cavite
Their host and Cavite 1st District Representative Boy Blue Abaya delivers a speech endorsing Otso Diretso, but does not share the stage with them
Gutoc throws shade at pork-tainted Bong Revilla in his bailiwick Cavite
'Nagnanakaw na nga, may kaso, tumatakbo pa. Anong klaseng eleksyon 'yan?' says Otso Diretso candidate Samira Gutoc in an impassioned speech
Bikoy 'entitled to due process' to prove claims, says Otso Diretso
Opposition candidates from the Otso Diretso slate say there should be a thorough probe to determine if Bikoy's claims against the Duterte family are true
Boy Blue Abaya to host Otso Diretso bets in vote-rich Cavite
But only 4 of the opposition senatorial bets will be present during their last official provincial sortie before their miting de avance on May 8
Mar Roxas seeks to defeat ghosts from 2016 bid
Mar Roxas is not out for redemption in 2019. But he's finding that easier said than done.
[OPINYON] Para sa kapakanan mo, oposisyon ang iboto
Hindi trabaho ng Senado na maging sunod-sunuran sa lahat ng gusto ni Pangulong Duterte at pagbigyan ang lahat ng nais niya
Novaliches bishop endorses Otso Diretso
‘Hindi po totoo 'yung 'pagka Katoliko ka ay wala kang, dapat 'di ka involved,' says Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias, as he explains his support for the opposition bets
'Enthusiasm edge' props up Otso Diretso, says Constitution framer
'We're in the endgame now. This is the endgame of Otso Diretso,' says Ed Garcia, one of the framers of the 1987 Constitution
How 'green' is your Senate bet? Group tracks candidates' records
The Ecological Challenge for Change Coalition releases its matrix of the environmental track records of 24 senatorial aspirants from the administration and the opposition
Otso Diretso heads to Tañada’s turf to woo Quezon voters
The highlight of the sortie is a grand campaign rally in Sariaya town, where the opposition bets will be hosted by local allies
Positions on conservative issues set opposition bets apart
(UPDATED) Members of the same coalition part ways on divorce, same-sex marriage, and death penalty
Group endorses Labor Win, 4 Otso Diretso bets to champion workers' rights
'Nagsasawa na po tayo sa puro pangako.... Kailangan meron tayong panghawakan sa mga tumatakbong kandidato sa pagsusulong ng interes ng uring manggagawa,' says Defend Job Philippines spokesperson Christian Magsoy
From constitutionalist to cancer patient, volunteers are the ‘heart’ of Otso Diretso campaign
‘’Yung sakit ko traydor. ’Yung sakit ko na lang, kesa ako ’yung traydor sa bayan,’ says 38-year-old Omar Hernandez, who volunteers for the Otso Diretso campaign despite battling leukemia
Of jet skis and life vests: How Otso Diretso uses political stunts to keep its campaign afloat
A visit to Masinloc, Zambales and a debate challenge at Plaza Miranda help raise awareness for the opposition bets, but fall short of ultimately convincing more voters to favor them
Otso Diretso reunites in Cebu City, but local allies still a no-show
A barangay captain in Argao, Cebu, however, allows several Otso Diretso candidates to campaign in his village
Roxas asks Cebuanos: Can your birthday gift be a vote for Otso Diretso?
Otso Diretso senatorial bet Mar Roxas celebrates his 62nd birthday on May 13, when Filipinos will also go to polling precincts to vote
This Cebu barangay is ‘not afraid to support Otso Diretso’
Chanito Quiblat, chairman of Barangay Taloot in Argao, Cebu, says he was approached by volunteers who had ‘no funding, doing it out of love’
All Otso Diretso bets join forces in vote-rich Cebu
This is only the second time the opposition senatorial ticket will be complete in one city during the 2019 campaign period
Afraid of Duterte, local leaders refuse to host Otso Diretso bets – Gutoc
'The silence of the public means there is an overstretch of too much power of our executive, the President,' says Otso Diretso bet Samira Gutoc
Should people who refuse to evacuate be arrested? Dela Rosa, Tañada face off
The two are responding to a question on how the country can further reduce risk and improve response to natural disasters
Campaign Convos: The problem of the Opposition
Aside from lack of funds and low ranking in pre-election surveys, the opposition also has to deal with problems rooted in the political and ideological differences of its candidates
