THE last 12 months have been a rollercoaster ride for the Philippines – from corruption, politics, environment, governance, corruption, disaster, and glory.
Politics and corruption topped the Philippine’s most significant stories, embarking on what appears more like a purge on the previous administration.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte made the opening salvo by hurling a direct accusation on his successor for allegedly continuously using illegal drugs. President Marcos, Jr. is not glorifying the tirade.
In the first quarter, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources took centerstage with the discovery of private resorts within a supposed protected area, the Chocolate Hills. Not one public official has been charged or penalized for negligence.
Before this quarter came to a close, dismissed Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves, Jr., who has been evading arrest over a long list of cases arising from heinous crimes, was arrested in Timor-Leste. The government has yet to bring home the expelled solon.
The second quarter’s biggest news – the resignation of Vice President Sara Duterte as education secretary, congressional inquiries “in aid of legislation,” the much-awaited issuance of arrest warrants for former President Duterte and his minions over the bloody drug war that claimed lives of around 30,000 drug suspects and civilians. Did the ICC consummate the issuance of a warrants of arrest?
The second half of 2024 saw the Marcos-Duterte Unity tandem split. The Lower House formed the QuadCom to probe inter-connected issues on illegal Philippine offshore gambling operators, illegal drug trade, extrajudicial killings, and human rights violations in the course of former President’s bloody drug war. No criminal case has been filed in court despite the findings and recommendations of the investigating joint panel.
Amid strong public clamor, Marcos Jr. was compelled to ban POGOs during his third SONA last July. Interestingly, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission admitted that around a hundred POGOs have opted to go “underground.”
Likewise, the year saw the abrupt ouster of Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri as Senate President for what many believed was more of a betrayal embarking on politics of compromise, patronage and convenience. Come to think of it, betrayal has become a fixture in politics.
Lest we forget, the continuing saga of the likes of former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, former presidential spiritual adviser Pastor Quiboloy, and many others.
The last but certainly most damaging event of the year is the series of super typhoons that displaced millions of hapless Filipinos. And yes, lives perished, business activities slumped, infrastructures destroyed, hundreds of thousands rendered homeless.
If there’s any consolation, that is the double gold haul of Pinoy gymnast Carlos Yulo at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This historic milestone was nearly spoiled by disparaging innuendos embarking on trivial spat between Carlos and his mom.
Let’s just hope that in the coming year, we would be seeing less of toxic political play, wanton disregard of law, massive corruption, human rights abuses, etcetera, etcetera.
