This paper examines the lived experiences of journalism practitioners during the Duterte Administration. During those times, journalism practitioners shared that they felt as if the administration itself tagged them as enemies of the government simply because they were doing their job as watchdogs holding anyone in authority accountable for their wrongdoings. Incorporating evidence from a semi-structured questionnaire, this study demonstrates that journalists truly faced a difficult time during the Duterte Administration. These concerns are particularly evident in how respondents unanimously described the status of press freedom during that time as “challenging,” “frustrating,” and “concerning at best.” They expressed difficulties in expressing constructive criticism towards the administration, as such criticism was often perceived as an attack on the government. Journalists also faced limitations in expressing their distaste for the treatment of journalists by President Duterte and his associates.