Philippines Declares Emergency After Typhoon Kills Over 140
Above: Aftermath of Typhoon Kalmaegi, in Talisay, Cebu Province, Philippines, on Nov. 5, 2025. Image copyright: Daniel Ceng/Anadolu/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-government narrative
The Philippine government's swift response to Typhoon Kalmaegi demonstrates exceptional crisis management and preparedness. President Marcos immediately declared a national calamity, releasing trillions in emergency funds and deploying comprehensive health alerts and response teams nationwide.
Government-critical narrative
Typhoon Kalmaegi exposed massive government corruption and incompetence after P17.4 billion in flood-control projects failed to protect Cebu. Ghost projects and substandard construction turned a natural disaster into a man-made catastrophe that killed over 100 people unnecessarily.
