GMA News TV's 'Investigative Documentaries' honored by NSCB

The National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) honored this week GMA News TV's "Investigative Documentaries" for being a tool in communicating statistics to a wider audience. The program's host, veteran journalist Malou Mangahas, also received an award for communicating the importance of statistics through her work for "Investigative Documentaries" and the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. Mangahas was the first editor in chief of www.gmanews.tv (now GMA News Online). "Investigative Documentaries" "Investigative Documentaries" airs every Thursday, 8:00 p.m. on GMA News TV Channel 11, the leading news channel on Philippine TV. "Investigative Documentaries" is a TV program that relies heavily on studies, statistics, and government data in presenting its stories. This week, the program will scrutinize the prominent Ortega clan of La Union province. Now 161 years old, the province of La Union has become synonymous with the Ortega political clan. The clan's foray into politics began in 1901, when Joaquin Ortega was appointed governor by the Americans. Four generations later, the clan remains a force to contend with in the province. For 35 years now, an Ortega has always held a congressional seat; and for 25 years, an Ortega has always occupied the governor's office. In 2010, 11 members of the clan secured various electoral seats, controlling over P1 billion in funds. The clan is credited with the province's economic growth. The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) recently recognized La Union as the second of 10 high performing provinces in the country. PCIJ The PCIJ is an independent, nonprofit media agency founded in 1989 and specializes in investigative reporting. According to PCIJ blog, Mangahas edited the University of the Philippines' (UP) "Philippine Collegian" and later presided over the UP Student Council. She obtained a journalism degree, graduating cum laude. She was also a fellow of the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University. Mangahas has worked for various newspapers and news agencies based in Manila and overseas. During her stint as editor in chief of www.gmanews.tv, she also worked as Vice President for Research and Content Development of GMA News and Public Affairs. - GMA News