Imbestigador (English: Investigator) is an investigative show that tackles anomalies and inconsistencies in the Philippine government. It criticizes the corruption in the Philippine society, from overpriced items to arms smuggling, covering a wide variety of topics that sometimes include Filipino traditions and beliefs. It is a public service show that aims to inform the people of the current problems troubling the Philippines. Mike Enriquez hosts the show since he became the anchor of "Saksi" in 1995, and "GMA Network News" in 1998.It is originally aired during Wednesdays from August 2, 2000 - September 26, 2001 11:00 in the evening, then they moved to Saturdays from October 6, 2001 to July 28, 2012. On August 5, 2012, Imbestigador is now new timeslot every Sunday at 9:15PM (PHT) after Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho starting August 5 in observance of the show's 12th year. In July 19, 2014, Imbestigador return on Saturday after Startalk, in response for rival, ABS-CBN's Failon Ngayon and the newly (and recently) similarly format S.O.C.O. (Scene of the Crime Operatives).
The show on January 1, 2012 has "caught-up" on GMA Pinoy TV and is no longer one-week delayed due to the show being pre-empted on December 31, 2011 in lieu of "Trending 2011: The GMA News and Public Affairs Yearend Special" for 2011, which was also hosted by Mike Enriquez with Dingdong Dantes.
About the show
It began with very casual crime scene reports, which continues to be the usual focus. Various crimes were featured, including kidnapping, slavery, child abuse, and various drug-related crimes. They were equipped with hidden cameras for doing entrapment operations with the help of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). A recently new format (while the program is still on the previous timeslot) similar to rival, ABS-CBN's S.O.C.O. (Scene of the Crime Operatives), which led to move at it's current timeslot since July 19, 2014.
Expansion of social issues
From crime reports, Imbestigador expanded into an all around investigative show. It now also features various societal problems such as corruption, problems in local governments, and illegal activities. It also has done special reports regarding poverty, honesty, cleanliness, education, wasted public funds, youths, and public health and safety. It also honored Pope John Paul II when Arnold Clavio did a special coverage regarding the pope's funeral. He also acted as a quiz master regarding the report of education, which reported the education system is weakening. On their fifth anniversary special, the show acted as "Santa Claus" by giving computers to each police station in Metro Manila. It has also featured out of the country specials (in the United States, Japan, Italy, Singapore, France, and Germany). The show alongside Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho aired a live coverage of the wake of Corazon Aquino on August 8, 2009.
Special reports
Pobreng Pinoy
Date aired: August 28, 2004
This special report tackles poverty. Out of 85 million Filipinos, ninety percent (90%) are at or under the poverty line. It features some disgusting material: poor Filipinos eating worms out of the trash. Another feature of the report covers the sale of internal organs.
It was re-aired on March 26, 2005, Black Saturday.
"Sarap, Hirap, Laganap": Valentine's Day special report, 2005
Date aired: February 12, 2005
In the 2005 Valentine's Day special report, Imbestigador indicated that Filipino lovebirds, especially married couples, typically spend the romantic holiday in very cheap motels and rarely in five-star hotels. It[clarification needed] would result in a population explosion. Some couples had more than three children, but it[clarification needed] explodes into about 16 or even 20 children. Having more than five children usually brings a family under the poverty line.
Pinoy, Tapat Ka Ba? (Filipinos, Are You Honest?)
Date aired: July 2, 2005
Reader's Digest conducted an honesty survey via wallet test in 2004 in the Philippines, deliberately dropping wallets containing money and identification to see if they would be returned. The results of this test suggested that 80% of Filipinos were honest. Imbestigador conducted its own wallet test for two weeks to prove again how honest Filipinos were. Out of 80 wallets dropped, 65 were returned.