Building credibility is the most challenging task for a newspaper, particularly in an era when the digital revolution has introduced numerous information channels.
A steadfast unit develops from the strength of the organization, forged through years of dedicated work and unity.
The DAILY TRIBUNE, however, has maintained its competitive edge through its reputation for publishing stories that, while hard-hitting, are all based on facts.
Readers have gravitated towards the newspaper to find the truth, in contrast to unfiltered digital media, which are riddled with disinformation.
Recognition of the newspaper’s commitment to truth and its role in keeping journalism alive has poured in, the latest of which was the Rotary Club of Manila’s honoring the broadsheet with its 2025 Pro Patria Journalism Award, elevating DAILY TRIBUNE to the Hall of Fame for Journalism.
The resilience, feistiness and commitment that make up the newspaper’s character only reflected the determination to succeed by its editors and staff.
A veteran of the organization, artist Lor Bulacan, said it is the people and the job that she loves that keep her going in the organization.
“Colleagues, co-workers, I have been working with for a long time, have formed a deep connection as friends and family. Like any other family, it is normal to have misunderstandings, disagreements, disapprovals, arguments and conflicting views when it comes to work, but we don’t take it personally,” she puts it.
“We still go home arm in arm, reflecting on how we enjoy each other’s company. These kinds of things strengthen and deepen relationships at work. We got each other’s backs but know how to be serious when it comes to doing our tasks,” she said.
There are days of stress, depression and extreme struggles at work, but Lor explains you can count on the people around, which is something special in hurdling problems, “be it personal, work, or financial related.”
“In short, the relationship that I built with the people here at TRIBUNE kept me here,” she added.
“This job became my career, which I love. I am happy with what I am doing here at DAILY TRIBUNE, including working overtime as long as we work together as a team,” she submits.
“It made me grow, it motivated me to be the best in what I am doing and be proud of it. I may make mistakes and get called out for it, but these mistakes made me grow more and accept that I can still improve what I am doing and don’t get complacent. With these ever-changing times, there are a lot of things popping up that may be of use in this line of work and I am ready to face it and contribute to this company.
“For the past 25 years, people have come and gone; there are new and old faces. I have a strong connection with them,” Lor reminisced.
“DAILY TRIBUNE is my second home and second family. Whatever it takes, it acts like a magnet that always exerts a pull on me to stay here forever.”
This is how we started
The newspaper was founded on 1 February 2000, began as a daily broadsheet on 25 February and has since been known for its bold and often critical political coverage.
The DAILY TRIBUNE assembled a group of journalists from the defunct The Philippine Post, led by editor-in-chief and founding chairperson Ninez Cacho-Olivares, to form what was then the first publication to be entirely run by journalists.
Its slogan “Without fear or favor” later evolved into “Without Fear, Without Favor.” The newspaper established a reputation for challenging power centers, particularly those of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Benigno S. Aquino III.
The DAILY TRIBUNE started to win adherents and followers in its coverage of the turbulent impeachment trial of President Joseph Estrada, accused of corruption and plunder.
After EDSA 2, Gloria Arroyo took office, which was when The DAILY TRIBUNE adopted a critical tone, reporting on allegations of corruption, cronyism and electoral irregularities in the 2004 presidential elections.
Stories likely scrutinized Arroyo’s consolidation of power and her administration’s policies, positioning The DAILY TRIBUNE as an opposition paper.
A column accused Ombudsman Simeón Marcelo of colluding with the Villaraza, Cruz, Marcelo & Angangco law firm in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 deal.
This exposé sparked a high-profile libel case, highlighting The DAILY TRIBUNE willingness to lock horns with powerful institutions and its role in exposing alleged government-law firm ties. The story became a focal point of the paper’s investigative journalism.
The DAILY TRIBUNE extensively covered the 2005 “Hello Garci” scandal, involving leaked recordings suggesting Arroyo rigged the 2004 election with the help of election official Virgilio Garcillano.
The paper’s reporting likely amplified calls for accountability, framing the scandal as evidence of systemic electoral fraud under Arroyo’s administration.
First paper raided since 1972 martial rule
On 24 February 2006, during a State of Emergency declared by Arroyo, the Philippine National Police raided The DAILY TRIBUNE'S office in Makati, citing national security concerns.
The paper continued publishing, and its coverage framed the raid as an attack on press freedom, with the paper’s editorials denouncing government censorship. The incident became a defining moment, showcasing the paper’s defiance against perceived authoritarianism.
On 5 June 2008, publisher Ninez Cacho-Olivares was convicted of libel for her 2003 NAIA Terminal 3 column, sentenced to prison and fined millions of pesos.
The paper continued its critical coverage of Arroyo’s administration, focusing on controversies like the National Broadband Network-ZTE deal and allegations of misuse of funds. Its reporting highlighted public discontent and positioned The DAILY TRIBUNE as a watchdog against overreach.
The DAILY TRIBUNE covered the election of Benigno S. Aquino III, maintaining its critical stance. Stories likely scrutinized Aquino’s campaign promises and early policies, reflecting the paper’s skepticism of his administration’s reformist narrative.
The paper was a vocal critic of Aquino, covering controversies like the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), declared unconstitutional in 2014, and the 2015 Mamasapano clash, where 44 police officers died in a botched operation. The paper’s stories depicted these events as evidence of Aquino’s mismanagement and incompetence.
The DAILY TRIBUNE covered Duterte’s 2016 presidential campaign supporting his tough-on-crime platform. Stories likely highlighted Duterte’s populist appeal and his promises to address drugs and corruption, aligning with the paper’s pro-Estrada and pro-Duterte stance.
Rebranding reflects evolution
The rebranding from The Daily Tribune to DAILY TRIBUNE (removing The) in 2018 was a symbolic step toward modernization, aligning the newspaper’s identity with a digital-first approach. The Concept and Information Group likely aimed to streamline the brand for online platforms, where concise names are more effective for searchability and social media presence.
DAILY TRIBUNE’S website (tribune.net.ph) became a central hub for its digital content, featuring sections like News, Opinion, Business, Sports and Lifestyle. The site provides a clean and user-friendly design, suggesting an investment in digital infrastructure to enhance accessibility and reader engagement.
DAILY TRIBUNE tapped Concept News Central’s digital expertise to expand its online footprint. This included strengthening its website and establishing a presence on social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Threads, X and TikTok, where the DAILY TRIBUNE maintains an active page with regular updates on breaking news and feature stories.
The newspaper’s digital content in recent years (e.g., 2024–2025 articles on the Marcos-Duterte rift and midterm elections) reflects a focus on timely, shareable stories optimized for online audiences, incorporating multimedia elements like images and videos to enhance engagement.
Social media integration is a key component of the digital transformation. DAILY TRIBUNE’S active Facebook and YouTube presence and posts on platforms like X indicate efforts to engage readers directly, fostering two-way communication through comments and shares.
This aligns with industry trends where social media drives traffic and builds community around news brands.
The paper’s coverage of trending topics, such as Sara Duterte’s impeachment and election integrity concerns, suggests a strategy to capitalize on viral political stories to boost online visibility.
The digital shift requires organizational changes, including the adoption of new technologies and the cultivation of a digital culture, particularly in adapting to digital journalism tools. The move was necessary to address the decline in print media revenue and new monetization models.
Transitioning a print-focused newsroom to a digital-first model often encounters resistance from staff accustomed to traditional workflows, which can be addressed through targeted training and effective change management.
The DAILY TRIBUNE’S digital transformation aligns with broader media trends, such as the adoption of digital platforms in the US. Newspapers that faced declining print revenue invested in online editions, mobile accessibility and agile workflows to remain competitive.