[Rappler’s Best] Annus horribilis 

‘Maybe some Filipinos, realizing that a number of of the mighty have fallen this 12 months, in all probability assume that whereas this has been President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s annus horribilis, it’s been annus mirabilis for them’

Consider it or not, this nation witnessed — in a 12 months that’s not over but — the arrest and detention overseas of a former president, the impeachment of a vp (and her suspended trial, courtesy of the Supreme Courtroom), the midterm elections that crushed the administration slate, the autumn from energy of a once-untouchable Home speaker, the autumn from grace of a Senate president and his modern spouse, and an unprecedented flood management scandal that’s now exposing the underground buildings which have elected the corrupt and saved them in energy.

China’s fixed and infuriating incursions into our territory (the most recent of which simply occurred on December 12) instantly paled compared. The one factor that this 12 months’s political turmoil couldn’t surpass is the speed by which our incomes have deflated.

The 12 months 2025 did start fairly ominously for the world. Los Angeles’ apocalyptic wildfires in January burned down all the pieces of their path. After which Donald Trump was sworn within the second time round as US president, declaring he was saved by God to rescue America. But, if there’s something that this 12 months confirmed us, it’s that it’s America who wants rescuing.

However has it been all that unhealthy?

We cap the 12 months with two initiatives that, for as soon as, are geared toward addressing long-standing structural defects behind how we’re ruled and which resulted from the large public protests — in all kinds — towards the flood management corruption scandal:

• The live-streaming of the as soon as secretive bicameral convention committee hearings that may finalize the 2026 nationwide funds. The primary day of the hearings was held on Saturday, December 13. Watch Day 1 right here; test highlights right here. Watch Day 2 right here; test highlights right here. Now it’s as much as alert teams and consultants to identify the purple flags — and ensure they’re uncovered and addressed.
• The submitting of payments that may lastly operationalize a constitutional mandate that prohibits political dynasties and, what’s extra, the momentum behind it. The payments filed vary from the weak to the promising. Native officers, teachers, and members of civil society organizations additionally launched a coalition that’s seen to guide a powerful foyer for an anti-dynasty regulation that won’t make a mockery of the intent of our structure framers.

A 12 months that started with holding the Dutertes to account threatened to make a U-turn, when the Senate refused to place impeached Vice President Sara Duterte on trial and the Supreme Courtroom sided along with her, and when Rodrigo Duterte requested the Worldwide Legal Courtroom (ICC) to grant him momentary launch. However…

• On October 10, the ICC unanimously rejected Duterte’s plea for momentary launch.
• On December 12, a number of teams filed a plunder grievance with the Ombudsman towards the Vice President over her alleged misuse of her places of work’ confidential funds.

And the way about the important thing actors linked to the flood corruption scandal? They’ve both resigned from their govt and legislative posts or at the moment are topics of complaints and circumstances. We hold monitor of the standing of those complaints and circumstances right here.

Even the tycoon as soon as dubbed the Philippines’ wealthiest noticed his enterprise and popularity in steep decline this 12 months. Manuel Villar’s conglomerate couldn’t even pay suppliers and contractors. As Val Villanueva writes, the Villar empire story — whereas removed from collapsing — is about an untouchable being a check case of governance. 

So maybe some Filipinos, realizing that a number of of the mighty have fallen this 12 months, in all probability assume that whereas this has been President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s annus horribilis, it’s been annus mirabilis for them.

At Rappler, it’s a 12 months that begs for relaxation and reflection. It means this text can even take a break in the course of the holidays and shall be again on January 5.

Wishing you a significant Christmas. And a brand new 12 months stuffed, as all the time, with hope. Yow will discover early Christmas pleasure within the Southeast Asian Video games! Test the updates right here.

Listed below are a few of Rappler’s bests that you just shouldn’t miss:

Lian Buan writes about how the justice division granted asylum to 2 Chinese language nationals with questionable backgrounds.

Jinji Abaño notes that lower than 30% of Filipinos maintain a life insurance coverage coverage, with the trade penetration being one of many lowest in Southeast Asia.

Val Villanueva tells us that the Philippines stands at a essential level the place “credibility has develop into the financial system’s most precious — and most susceptible — asset.” 

Jairo Bolledo profiles the outstanding 35-year-old lawyer Ross Tugade, who has been accepted as assistant to counsel on the ICC.

– Rappler.com

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