End of an era: Dagupan’s Sunday Punch hangs up gloves after 70 years 05.07.2026

Sunday Punch, the Philippines' longest-running community newsweekly, is set to cease publication this week after nearly 70 years of service. Founded in July 1956 by Ermin Erfe Garcia in Dagupan City, the English-language newspaper became a vital watchdog for Pangasinan, covering local governance, business, and civic affairs across 44 municipalities. The publication's legacy was marked by both success and tragedy, including the 1966 assassination of its founder and the leadership of his son, Ermin Garcia Jr., who served as president of the Philippine Press Institute. Despite its storied history, the newspaper succumbed to modern economic pressures, including declining print advertising revenue and the shift toward digital media. Rising costs for newsprint and distribution further contributed to the closure, highlighting the severe financial struggles currently facing independent provincial journalism across the country.















