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MANILA — Just as frenzied events have done in the past year, they once again shaped landscapes in the Philippines that are likely to have a lasting impact for years to come.

Here are the biggest news stories that defined the country in 2025.

1. ARREST OF RODRIGO DUTERTE

Former President Rodrigo Duterte and his former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea inside the plane en route to the Netherlands. Contributed photoThe nation on March 11 witnessed the breathtaking arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, the first Asian former head of state to be apprehended and detained in the Scheveningen prison in the Netherlands, where the International Criminal Court sits.

The 80-year-old's arrest and transfer to The Hague, all done in just a day and hailed by drug war victims and rights groups as a "historic step" to attaining justice, were carried out based on an International Criminal Police Organization request for assistance over his crimes against humanity charges before the ICC.

In a late-night news conference immediately after the plane carrying the former leader left the country, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the government's decision was made in compliance with the country's commitments to Interpol.

Duterte's arrest triggered a campaign by his family and his supporters to bring him back to the Philippines, as they claimed he had been "kidnapped" by law enforcers — the narrative was one of the grounds used by the international tribunal to deny him temporary liberty.

The legality of Duterte's capture is now being questioned at the Supreme Court by his lawyers and Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, whom the ICC identified as one of Duterte's co-perpetrators in the crime against humanity case and who has been out of the public eye over talk of an alleged warrant for his arrest.

The high court's decision on Duterte's arrest is expected to guide Philippine law enforcement agencies on handling future international arrest pleas for local leaders who are wanted abroad.

SC: Local courts given 30 days to decide on extradition cases

The former president meanwhile continues to challenge the jurisdiction of the ICC over him and awaits a ruling on whether or not he is fit to stand for trial before the tribunal.

His lead counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, had argued that Duterte should be released because of his old age and alleged declining health.

But the Office of the Prosecutor on December 18 cited medical evaluations that found Duterte is fit for legal proceedings.

2. SARA DUTERTE'S IMPEACHMENT

Donning their Oxford crimson robes, members of the Senate on June 10, 2025 took their oath as senator-judges who would deliberate on the merit of the impeachment case filed by the House of Representatives against Vice President Sara Duterte. Voltaire F. Domingo, Senate Social Media Unit/ Joseph B. Vidal, OSP/FileA month before the arrest of Rodrigo Duterte, or on February 5, his daughter Vice President Sara Duterte was impeached by more than 200 members of the House of Representatives over supposed corruption, conspiracy to assassinate her former ally Marcos, and alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings in Davao City.

As she denied the allegations, Vice President Duterte said the charges were politically motivated and aimed at eliminating her from the pool of possible presidential candidates in the 2028 national elections.

Her impeachment prompted criticisms against the Senate, which waited months before it finally tackled her case despite it being constitutionally mandated to conduct a trial "forthwith."

The upper chamber archived Sara Duterte's impeachment case in August after the Supreme Court blocked the move in late July and declared that the complaint violated the constitutional provision barring the filing of more than one impeachment charge against an official within a year.

The high court's decision, which the House and other impeachment filers have challenged, also ruled that a fresh impeachment complaint against Duterte could only be filed in February 2026.

For some legal scholars, the Supreme Court's ruling on Sara Duterte impeachment, if not reversed, would weaken the accountability mechanism of the impeachment process because of tighter new requirements laid down in the ruling, which they said were not in the charter.

Civil society groups in December filed fresh complaints against the vice president before the Office of the Ombudsman in relation to the alleged mishandling of her confidential funds.

Affidavit from Sara Duterte’s alleged ‘bagman’ referred to Ombudsman

3. FLOOD CONTROL SCANDAL

Engineer Brice Hernandez presents a photo from his cellphone showing Engineer Henry Alcantara with Senator Jinggoy Estrada, along with an image of a pile of money, during a congressional hearing on ghost flood control projects at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

This year, the country was again hit by another corruption scandal, which some consider the biggest in the nation's history: the looting of billions of pesos of flood control funds.

Congressional hearings triggered by Marcos' exposé in August revealed a scheme — allegedly orchestrated by government contractors, politicians, and other officials — of getting kickbacks from funds meant to mitigate inundation in the flood-prone Philippines.

The inquiries uncovered that some officials allegedly conspired to make insertions in the national budget that would later fund flood-relief programs that were either substandard, incomplete, or "ghost" or non-existent, which government investigators used as evidence to file dozens of cases.

The massive anomalies in infrastructure projects have set off weekslong angry protests across the country where civil society groups, church leaders, celebrities, and ordinary Filipinos called for the arrest of culprits in the scandal.

The corruption scheme led to efforts to recover stolen wealth and various reforms in government to protect taxpayers' money.

More recently, Marcos made a rare request to Congress to prioritize passing a law that would prohibit political dynasties, which have been blamed as one of the factors in corruption and poverty in the country.

4 decades in Congress: Can the anti-political dynasty bill this time be different?

Meanwhile, although arrests have been made against some individuals linked to the scam, there are criticisms that the so-called "big fish" in the infrastructure anomalies have yet to be caught, including resigned congressman Zaldy Co.

On December 18, though, the National Bureau of Investigation arrested businesswoman Sarah Discaya over a P96.5 million "ghost" flood control project in Davao Occidental. Sarah and her husband Curlee — both government contractors — have been tagged as one of the major players in the flood control mess.

And in a shocking turn of events, former public works undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral was found dead on December 19 after allegedly falling from a cliff along Kennon Road in Tuba town in Benguet.

Cabral was believed to be instrumental in the alleged kickback scheme because of her position and long career in the agency, and her death could mean many questions would be left unanswered.

4. CEBU AND DAVAO EARTHQUAKES

Restoration eyed after century-old church in Cebu partially collapses due to quake. Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima/Facebook

The year also saw the Philippines experiencing successive earthquakes, which prompted worries that the dreaded "The Big One" could hit anytime soon.

In late September, a deadly quake struck northern Cebu, and the shaking was so strong it was felt in parts of the country's three main islands, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Seismologists later discovered that the tremor that killed at least 79 people and damaged decades-old churches was triggered by a fault that had not produced a powerful quake in the past 400 years.

In less than two weeks, another powerful earthquake hit the country, this time in waters off Davao Oriental, leaving at least two people dead and leading authorities to issue a tsunami alert that was later lifted.

5. SEARCH FOR A NEW POPE

$\"Newly$ Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost arrives on the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica for the first time, after the cardinals ended the conclave, in The Vatican, on May 8, 2025. Alberto Pizzoli, AFP In August, millions of Catholics in the Philippines and around the world mourned the passing of their 88-year-old leader, Pope Francis, also known as "Lolo Kiko."

Francis served for 12 years as the 266th pope of the Catholic Church, and his leadership was centered on the theme of mercy.

As he championed the welfare of refugees and other marginalized peoples, he also pushed for a more tolerant Catholic Church, including the LGBT community, and the divorced and remarried.

He also criticized economic policies that, according to him, aggravated poverty and inequality.

Three Filipino cardinals participated in the conclave to choose Francis's successor: Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Cardinal Jose Advincula, and Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David.

Taglo was seen as one of the frontrunners going into the conclave, but in the end, Robert Francis Prevost became the first pope from the United States and picked the papal name Leo XIV.

6. OPPOSITION'S VICTORY IN 2025 POLLS

The 2022 elections left Sen. Risa Hontiveros as the lone opposition candidate to secure a spot in the Senate.

But this year's midterm polls saw more of her allies joining the upper chamber and pulling off election victories that defied even the predictions of some survey firms.

Sen. Bam Aquino ranked second in the race for 12 new senators in the 2025 elections, while Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan landed fifth in the senatorial contest despite being on the receiving end of negative propaganda on social media.

Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno's Akbayan party-list topped the party-list race while Leila de Lima's Mamamayang Liberal secured one seat in the 20th Congress.

7. DEATH OF JUAN PONCE ENRILE

Meanwhile, 2025 was also the year when the nation witnessed the death of veteran politician Juan Ponce Enrile.

Enrile, aged 101 when he died of pneumonia, was the chief implementer and architect of Martial Law during the dictatorship of Marcos Sr. administration, where he served as defense minister.

Before he was appointed as Chief Presidential Legal Counsel under the present Marcos Jr. administration, Enrile served in several administrations in different capacities.

Juan Ponce Enrile, Martial Law architect and political survivor

Juan Ponce Enrile passes away

—With reports from Erik Tenedero and Rose Carmelle Lacuata, ABS-CBN News

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Just as frenzied events have done in the past year, they once again shaped landscapes in the Philippines that are likely to have a lasting impact for years to come.

MANILA — Just as frenzied events have done in the past year, they once again shaped landscapes in the Philippines that are likely to have a lasting impact for years to come.

Here are the biggest news stories that defined the country in 2025.

1. ARREST OF RODRIGO DUTERTE

The high court's decision on Duterte's arrest is expected to guide Philippine law enforcement agencies on handling future international arrest pleas for local leaders who are wanted abroad.

SC: Local courts given 30 days to decide on extradition cases

The former president meanwhile continues to challenge the jurisdiction of the ICC over him and awaits a ruling on whether or not he is fit to stand for trial before the tribunal.

His lead counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, had argued that Duterte should be released because of his old age and alleged declining health.

But the Office of the Prosecutor on December 18 cited medical evaluations that found Duterte is fit for legal proceedings.

2. SARA DUTERTE'S IMPEACHMENT

Her impeachment prompted criticisms against the Senate, which waited months before it finally tackled her case despite it being constitutionally mandated to conduct a trial "forthwith."

The high court's decision, which the House and other impeachment filers have challenged, also ruled that a fresh impeachment complaint against Duterte could only be filed in February 2026.

Civil society groups in December filed fresh complaints against the vice president before the Office of the Ombudsman in relation to the alleged mishandling of her confidential funds.

Affidavit from Sara Duterte’s alleged ‘bagman’ referred to Ombudsman

3. FLOOD CONTROL SCANDAL

This year, the country was again hit by another corruption scandal, which some consider the biggest in the nation's history: the looting of billions of pesos of flood control funds.

The corruption scheme led to efforts to recover stolen wealth and various reforms in government to protect taxpayers' money.

4 decades in Congress: Can the anti-political dynasty bill this time be different?

Cabral was believed to be instrumental in the alleged kickback scheme because of her position and long career in the agency, and her death could mean many questions would be left unanswered.

4. CEBU AND DAVAO EARTHQUAKES

Restoration eyed after century-old church in Cebu partially collapses due to quake. Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima/Facebook

The year also saw the Philippines experiencing successive earthquakes, which prompted worries that the dreaded "The Big One" could hit anytime soon.

In late September, a deadly quake struck northern Cebu, and the shaking was so strong it was felt in parts of the country's three main islands, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Seismologists later discovered that the tremor that killed at least 79 people and damaged decades-old churches was triggered by a fault that had not produced a powerful quake in the past 400 years.

5. SEARCH FOR A NEW POPE

Francis served for 12 years as the 266th pope of the Catholic Church, and his leadership was centered on the theme of mercy.

As he championed the welfare of refugees and other marginalized peoples, he also pushed for a more tolerant Catholic Church, including the LGBT community, and the divorced and remarried.

He also criticized economic policies that, according to him, aggravated poverty and inequality.

Three Filipino cardinals participated in the conclave to choose Francis's successor: Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Cardinal Jose Advincula, and Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David.

Taglo was seen as one of the frontrunners going into the conclave, but in the end, Robert Francis Prevost became the first pope from the United States and picked the papal name Leo XIV.

6. OPPOSITION'S VICTORY IN 2025 POLLS

The 2022 elections left Sen. Risa Hontiveros as the lone opposition candidate to secure a spot in the Senate.

But this year's midterm polls saw more of her allies joining the upper chamber and pulling off election victories that defied even the predictions of some survey firms.

Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno's Akbayan party-list topped the party-list race while Leila de Lima's Mamamayang Liberal secured one seat in the 20th Congress.

7. DEATH OF JUAN PONCE ENRILE

Meanwhile, 2025 was also the year when the nation witnessed the death of veteran politician Juan Ponce Enrile.

Enrile, aged 101 when he died of pneumonia, was the chief implementer and architect of Martial Law during the dictatorship of Marcos Sr. administration, where he served as defense minister.

Before he was appointed as Chief Presidential Legal Counsel under the present Marcos Jr. administration, Enrile served in several administrations in different capacities.

Juan Ponce Enrile, Martial Law architect and political survivor

Juan Ponce Enrile passes away

—With reports from Erik Tenedero and Rose Carmelle Lacuata, ABS-CBN News

Just as frenzied events have done in the past year, they once again shaped landscapes in the Philippines that are likely to have a lasting impact for years to come.

MANILA — Just as frenzied events have done in the past year, they once again shaped landscapes in the Philippines that are likely to have a lasting impact for years to come.

Here are the biggest news stories that defined the country in 2025.

1. ARREST OF RODRIGO DUTERTE

The high court's decision on Duterte's arrest is expected to guide Philippine law enforcement agencies on handling future international arrest pleas for local leaders who are wanted abroad.

SC: Local courts given 30 days to decide on extradition cases

The former president meanwhile continues to challenge the jurisdiction of the ICC over him and awaits a ruling on whether or not he is fit to stand for trial before the tribunal.

His lead counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, had argued that Duterte should be released because of his old age and alleged declining health.

But the Office of the Prosecutor on December 18 cited medical evaluations that found Duterte is fit for legal proceedings.

2. SARA DUTERTE'S IMPEACHMENT

Her impeachment prompted criticisms against the Senate, which waited months before it finally tackled her case despite it being constitutionally mandated to conduct a trial "forthwith."

The high court's decision, which the House and other impeachment filers have challenged, also ruled that a fresh impeachment complaint against Duterte could only be filed in February 2026.

Civil society groups in December filed fresh complaints against the vice president before the Office of the Ombudsman in relation to the alleged mishandling of her confidential funds.

Affidavit from Sara Duterte’s alleged ‘bagman’ referred to Ombudsman

3. FLOOD CONTROL SCANDAL

This year, the country was again hit by another corruption scandal, which some consider the biggest in the nation's history: the looting of billions of pesos of flood control funds.

The corruption scheme led to efforts to recover stolen wealth and various reforms in government to protect taxpayers' money.

4 decades in Congress: Can the anti-political dynasty bill this time be different?

Cabral was believed to be instrumental in the alleged kickback scheme because of her position and long career in the agency, and her death could mean many questions would be left unanswered.

4. CEBU AND DAVAO EARTHQUAKES

Restoration eyed after century-old church in Cebu partially collapses due to quake. Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima/Facebook

The year also saw the Philippines experiencing successive earthquakes, which prompted worries that the dreaded "The Big One" could hit anytime soon.

In late September, a deadly quake struck northern Cebu, and the shaking was so strong it was felt in parts of the country's three main islands, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Seismologists later discovered that the tremor that killed at least 79 people and damaged decades-old churches was triggered by a fault that had not produced a powerful quake in the past 400 years.

5. SEARCH FOR A NEW POPE

Francis served for 12 years as the 266th pope of the Catholic Church, and his leadership was centered on the theme of mercy.

As he championed the welfare of refugees and other marginalized peoples, he also pushed for a more tolerant Catholic Church, including the LGBT community, and the divorced and remarried.

He also criticized economic policies that, according to him, aggravated poverty and inequality.

Three Filipino cardinals participated in the conclave to choose Francis's successor: Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Cardinal Jose Advincula, and Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David.

Taglo was seen as one of the frontrunners going into the conclave, but in the end, Robert Francis Prevost became the first pope from the United States and picked the papal name Leo XIV.

6. OPPOSITION'S VICTORY IN 2025 POLLS

The 2022 elections left Sen. Risa Hontiveros as the lone opposition candidate to secure a spot in the Senate.

But this year's midterm polls saw more of her allies joining the upper chamber and pulling off election victories that defied even the predictions of some survey firms.

Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno's Akbayan party-list topped the party-list race while Leila de Lima's Mamamayang Liberal secured one seat in the 20th Congress.

7. DEATH OF JUAN PONCE ENRILE

Meanwhile, 2025 was also the year when the nation witnessed the death of veteran politician Juan Ponce Enrile.

Enrile, aged 101 when he died of pneumonia, was the chief implementer and architect of Martial Law during the dictatorship of Marcos Sr. administration, where he served as defense minister.

Before he was appointed as Chief Presidential Legal Counsel under the present Marcos Jr. administration, Enrile served in several administrations in different capacities.

Juan Ponce Enrile, Martial Law architect and political survivor

Juan Ponce Enrile passes away

—With reports from Erik Tenedero and Rose Carmelle Lacuata, ABS-CBN News

Just as frenzied events have done in the past year, they once again shaped landscapes in the Philippines that are likely to have a lasting impact for years to come.

MANILA — Just as frenzied events have done in the past year, they once again shaped landscapes in the Philippines that are likely to have a lasting impact for years to come.

Here are the biggest news stories that defined the country in 2025.

1. ARREST OF RODRIGO DUTERTE

The high court's decision on Duterte's arrest is expected to guide Philippine law enforcement agencies on handling future international arrest pleas for local leaders who are wanted abroad.

SC: Local courts given 30 days to decide on extradition cases

The former president meanwhile continues to challenge the jurisdiction of the ICC over him and awaits a ruling on whether or not he is fit to stand for trial before the tribunal.

His lead counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, had argued that Duterte should be released because of his old age and alleged declining health.

But the Office of the Prosecutor on December 18 cited medical evaluations that found Duterte is fit for legal proceedings.

2. SARA DUTERTE'S IMPEACHMENT

Her impeachment prompted criticisms against the Senate, which waited months before it finally tackled her case despite it being constitutionally mandated to conduct a trial "forthwith."

The high court's decision, which the House and other impeachment filers have challenged, also ruled that a fresh impeachment complaint against Duterte could only be filed in February 2026.

Civil society groups in December filed fresh complaints against the vice president before the Office of the Ombudsman in relation to the alleged mishandling of her confidential funds.

Affidavit from Sara Duterte’s alleged ‘bagman’ referred to Ombudsman

3. FLOOD CONTROL SCANDAL

This year, the country was again hit by another corruption scandal, which some consider the biggest in the nation's history: the looting of billions of pesos of flood control funds.

The corruption scheme led to efforts to recover stolen wealth and various reforms in government to protect taxpayers' money.

4 decades in Congress: Can the anti-political dynasty bill this time be different?

Cabral was believed to be instrumental in the alleged kickback scheme because of her position and long career in the agency, and her death could mean many questions would be left unanswered.

4. CEBU AND DAVAO EARTHQUAKES

Restoration eyed after century-old church in Cebu partially collapses due to quake. Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima/Facebook

The year also saw the Philippines experiencing successive earthquakes, which prompted worries that the dreaded "The Big One" could hit anytime soon.

In late September, a deadly quake struck northern Cebu, and the shaking was so strong it was felt in parts of the country's three main islands, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Seismologists later discovered that the tremor that killed at least 79 people and damaged decades-old churches was triggered by a fault that had not produced a powerful quake in the past 400 years.

5. SEARCH FOR A NEW POPE

Francis served for 12 years as the 266th pope of the Catholic Church, and his leadership was centered on the theme of mercy.

As he championed the welfare of refugees and other marginalized peoples, he also pushed for a more tolerant Catholic Church, including the LGBT community, and the divorced and remarried.

He also criticized economic policies that, according to him, aggravated poverty and inequality.

Three Filipino cardinals participated in the conclave to choose Francis's successor: Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Cardinal Jose Advincula, and Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David.

Taglo was seen as one of the frontrunners going into the conclave, but in the end, Robert Francis Prevost became the first pope from the United States and picked the papal name Leo XIV.

6. OPPOSITION'S VICTORY IN 2025 POLLS

The 2022 elections left Sen. Risa Hontiveros as the lone opposition candidate to secure a spot in the Senate.

But this year's midterm polls saw more of her allies joining the upper chamber and pulling off election victories that defied even the predictions of some survey firms.

Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno's Akbayan party-list topped the party-list race while Leila de Lima's Mamamayang Liberal secured one seat in the 20th Congress.

7. DEATH OF JUAN PONCE ENRILE

Meanwhile, 2025 was also the year when the nation witnessed the death of veteran politician Juan Ponce Enrile.

Enrile, aged 101 when he died of pneumonia, was the chief implementer and architect of Martial Law during the dictatorship of Marcos Sr. administration, where he served as defense minister.

Before he was appointed as Chief Presidential Legal Counsel under the present Marcos Jr. administration, Enrile served in several administrations in different capacities.

Juan Ponce Enrile, Martial Law architect and political survivor

Juan Ponce Enrile passes away

—With reports from Erik Tenedero and Rose Carmelle Lacuata, ABS-CBN News

Just as frenzied events have done in the past year, they once again shaped landscapes in the Philippines that are likely to have a lasting impact for years to come.

MANILA — Just as frenzied events have done in the past year, they once again shaped landscapes in the Philippines that are likely to have a lasting impact for years to come.

Here are the biggest news stories that defined the country in 2025.

1. ARREST OF RODRIGO DUTERTE

The high court's decision on Duterte's arrest is expected to guide Philippine law enforcement agencies on handling future international arrest pleas for local leaders who are wanted abroad.

SC: Local courts given 30 days to decide on extradition cases

The former president meanwhile continues to challenge the jurisdiction of the ICC over him and awaits a ruling on whether or not he is fit to stand for trial before the tribunal.

His lead counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, had argued that Duterte should be released because of his old age and alleged declining health.

But the Office of the Prosecutor on December 18 cited medical evaluations that found Duterte is fit for legal proceedings.

2. SARA DUTERTE'S IMPEACHMENT

Her impeachment prompted criticisms against the Senate, which waited months before it finally tackled her case despite it being constitutionally mandated to conduct a trial "forthwith."

The high court's decision, which the House and other impeachment filers have challenged, also ruled that a fresh impeachment complaint against Duterte could only be filed in February 2026.

Civil society groups in December filed fresh complaints against the vice president before the Office of the Ombudsman in relation to the alleged mishandling of her confidential funds.

Affidavit from Sara Duterte’s alleged ‘bagman’ referred to Ombudsman

3. FLOOD CONTROL SCANDAL

This year, the country was again hit by another corruption scandal, which some consider the biggest in the nation's history: the looting of billions of pesos of flood control funds.

The corruption scheme led to efforts to recover stolen wealth and various reforms in government to protect taxpayers' money.

4 decades in Congress: Can the anti-political dynasty bill this time be different?

Cabral was believed to be instrumental in the alleged kickback scheme because of her position and long career in the agency, and her death could mean many questions would be left unanswered.

4. CEBU AND DAVAO EARTHQUAKES

Restoration eyed after century-old church in Cebu partially collapses due to quake. Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima/Facebook

The year also saw the Philippines experiencing successive earthquakes, which prompted worries that the dreaded "The Big One" could hit anytime soon.

In late September, a deadly quake struck northern Cebu, and the shaking was so strong it was felt in parts of the country's three main islands, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Seismologists later discovered that the tremor that killed at least 79 people and damaged decades-old churches was triggered by a fault that had not produced a powerful quake in the past 400 years.

5. SEARCH FOR A NEW POPE

Francis served for 12 years as the 266th pope of the Catholic Church, and his leadership was centered on the theme of mercy.

As he championed the welfare of refugees and other marginalized peoples, he also pushed for a more tolerant Catholic Church, including the LGBT community, and the divorced and remarried.

He also criticized economic policies that, according to him, aggravated poverty and inequality.

Three Filipino cardinals participated in the conclave to choose Francis's successor: Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Cardinal Jose Advincula, and Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David.

Taglo was seen as one of the frontrunners going into the conclave, but in the end, Robert Francis Prevost became the first pope from the United States and picked the papal name Leo XIV.

6. OPPOSITION'S VICTORY IN 2025 POLLS

The 2022 elections left Sen. Risa Hontiveros as the lone opposition candidate to secure a spot in the Senate.

But this year's midterm polls saw more of her allies joining the upper chamber and pulling off election victories that defied even the predictions of some survey firms.

Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno's Akbayan party-list topped the party-list race while Leila de Lima's Mamamayang Liberal secured one seat in the 20th Congress.

7. DEATH OF JUAN PONCE ENRILE

Meanwhile, 2025 was also the year when the nation witnessed the death of veteran politician Juan Ponce Enrile.

Enrile, aged 101 when he died of pneumonia, was the chief implementer and architect of Martial Law during the dictatorship of Marcos Sr. administration, where he served as defense minister.

Before he was appointed as Chief Presidential Legal Counsel under the present Marcos Jr. administration, Enrile served in several administrations in different capacities.

Juan Ponce Enrile, Martial Law architect and political survivor

Juan Ponce Enrile passes away

—With reports from Erik Tenedero and Rose Carmelle Lacuata, ABS-CBN News

Just as frenzied events have done in the past year, they once again shaped landscapes in the Philippines that are likely to have a lasting impact for years to come.

MANILA — Just as frenzied events have done in the past year, they once again shaped landscapes in the Philippines that are likely to have a lasting impact for years to come.

Here are the biggest news stories that defined the country in 2025.

1. ARREST OF RODRIGO DUTERTE

The high court's decision on Duterte's arrest is expected to guide Philippine law enforcement agencies on handling future international arrest pleas for local leaders who are wanted abroad.

SC: Local courts given 30 days to decide on extradition cases

The former president meanwhile continues to challenge the jurisdiction of the ICC over him and awaits a ruling on whether or not he is fit to stand for trial before the tribunal.

His lead counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, had argued that Duterte should be released because of his old age and alleged declining health.

But the Office of the Prosecutor on December 18 cited medical evaluations that found Duterte is fit for legal proceedings.

2. SARA DUTERTE'S IMPEACHMENT

Her impeachment prompted criticisms against the Senate, which waited months before it finally tackled her case despite it being constitutionally mandated to conduct a trial "forthwith."

The high court's decision, which the House and other impeachment filers have challenged, also ruled that a fresh impeachment complaint against Duterte could only be filed in February 2026.

Civil society groups in December filed fresh complaints against the vice president before the Office of the Ombudsman in relation to the alleged mishandling of her confidential funds.

Affidavit from Sara Duterte’s alleged ‘bagman’ referred to Ombudsman

3. FLOOD CONTROL SCANDAL

This year, the country was again hit by another corruption scandal, which some consider the biggest in the nation's history: the looting of billions of pesos of flood control funds.

The corruption scheme led to efforts to recover stolen wealth and various reforms in government to protect taxpayers' money.

4 decades in Congress: Can the anti-political dynasty bill this time be different?

Cabral was believed to be instrumental in the alleged kickback scheme because of her position and long career in the agency, and her death could mean many questions would be left unanswered.

4. CEBU AND DAVAO EARTHQUAKES

Restoration eyed after century-old church in Cebu partially collapses due to quake. Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima/Facebook

The year also saw the Philippines experiencing successive earthquakes, which prompted worries that the dreaded "The Big One" could hit anytime soon.

In late September, a deadly quake struck northern Cebu, and the shaking was so strong it was felt in parts of the country's three main islands, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Seismologists later discovered that the tremor that killed at least 79 people and damaged decades-old churches was triggered by a fault that had not produced a powerful quake in the past 400 years.

5. SEARCH FOR A NEW POPE

Francis served for 12 years as the 266th pope of the Catholic Church, and his leadership was centered on the theme of mercy.

As he championed the welfare of refugees and other marginalized peoples, he also pushed for a more tolerant Catholic Church, including the LGBT community, and the divorced and remarried.

He also criticized economic policies that, according to him, aggravated poverty and inequality.

Three Filipino cardinals participated in the conclave to choose Francis's successor: Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Cardinal Jose Advincula, and Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David.

Taglo was seen as one of the frontrunners going into the conclave, but in the end, Robert Francis Prevost became the first pope from the United States and picked the papal name Leo XIV.

6. OPPOSITION'S VICTORY IN 2025 POLLS

The 2022 elections left Sen. Risa Hontiveros as the lone opposition candidate to secure a spot in the Senate.

But this year's midterm polls saw more of her allies joining the upper chamber and pulling off election victories that defied even the predictions of some survey firms.

Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno's Akbayan party-list topped the party-list race while Leila de Lima's Mamamayang Liberal secured one seat in the 20th Congress.

7. DEATH OF JUAN PONCE ENRILE

Meanwhile, 2025 was also the year when the nation witnessed the death of veteran politician Juan Ponce Enrile.

Enrile, aged 101 when he died of pneumonia, was the chief implementer and architect of Martial Law during the dictatorship of Marcos Sr. administration, where he served as defense minister.

Before he was appointed as Chief Presidential Legal Counsel under the present Marcos Jr. administration, Enrile served in several administrations in different capacities.

Juan Ponce Enrile, Martial Law architect and political survivor

Juan Ponce Enrile passes away

—With reports from Erik Tenedero and Rose Carmelle Lacuata, ABS-CBN News

Just as frenzied events have done in the past year, they once again shaped landscapes in the Philippines that are likely to have a lasting impact for years to come.

MANILA — Just as frenzied events have done in the past year, they once again shaped landscapes in the Philippines that are likely to have a lasting impact for years to come.

Here are the biggest news stories that defined the country in 2025.

1. ARREST OF RODRIGO DUTERTE

The high court's decision on Duterte's arrest is expected to guide Philippine law enforcement agencies on handling future international arrest pleas for local leaders who are wanted abroad.

SC: Local courts given 30 days to decide on extradition cases

The former president meanwhile continues to challenge the jurisdiction of the ICC over him and awaits a ruling on whether or not he is fit to stand for trial before the tribunal.

His lead counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, had argued that Duterte should be released because of his old age and alleged declining health.

But the Office of the Prosecutor on December 18 cited medical evaluations that found Duterte is fit for legal proceedings.

2. SARA DUTERTE'S IMPEACHMENT

Her impeachment prompted criticisms against the Senate, which waited months before it finally tackled her case despite it being constitutionally mandated to conduct a trial "forthwith."

The high court's decision, which the House and other impeachment filers have challenged, also ruled that a fresh impeachment complaint against Duterte could only be filed in February 2026.

Civil society groups in December filed fresh complaints against the vice president before the Office of the Ombudsman in relation to the alleged mishandling of her confidential funds.

Affidavit from Sara Duterte’s alleged ‘bagman’ referred to Ombudsman

3. FLOOD CONTROL SCANDAL

This year, the country was again hit by another corruption scandal, which some consider the biggest in the nation's history: the looting of billions of pesos of flood control funds.

The corruption scheme led to efforts to recover stolen wealth and various reforms in government to protect taxpayers' money.

4 decades in Congress: Can the anti-political dynasty bill this time be different?

Cabral was believed to be instrumental in the alleged kickback scheme because of her position and long career in the agency, and her death could mean many questions would be left unanswered.

4. CEBU AND DAVAO EARTHQUAKES

Restoration eyed after century-old church in Cebu partially collapses due to quake. Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima/Facebook

The year also saw the Philippines experiencing successive earthquakes, which prompted worries that the dreaded "The Big One" could hit anytime soon.

In late September, a deadly quake struck northern Cebu, and the shaking was so strong it was felt in parts of the country's three main islands, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Seismologists later discovered that the tremor that killed at least 79 people and damaged decades-old churches was triggered by a fault that had not produced a powerful quake in the past 400 years.

5. SEARCH FOR A NEW POPE

Francis served for 12 years as the 266th pope of the Catholic Church, and his leadership was centered on the theme of mercy.

As he championed the welfare of refugees and other marginalized peoples, he also pushed for a more tolerant Catholic Church, including the LGBT community, and the divorced and remarried.

He also criticized economic policies that, according to him, aggravated poverty and inequality.

Three Filipino cardinals participated in the conclave to choose Francis's successor: Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Cardinal Jose Advincula, and Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David.

Taglo was seen as one of the frontrunners going into the conclave, but in the end, Robert Francis Prevost became the first pope from the United States and picked the papal name Leo XIV.

6. OPPOSITION'S VICTORY IN 2025 POLLS

The 2022 elections left Sen. Risa Hontiveros as the lone opposition candidate to secure a spot in the Senate.

But this year's midterm polls saw more of her allies joining the upper chamber and pulling off election victories that defied even the predictions of some survey firms.

Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno's Akbayan party-list topped the party-list race while Leila de Lima's Mamamayang Liberal secured one seat in the 20th Congress.

7. DEATH OF JUAN PONCE ENRILE

Meanwhile, 2025 was also the year when the nation witnessed the death of veteran politician Juan Ponce Enrile.

Enrile, aged 101 when he died of pneumonia, was the chief implementer and architect of Martial Law during the dictatorship of Marcos Sr. administration, where he served as defense minister.

Before he was appointed as Chief Presidential Legal Counsel under the present Marcos Jr. administration, Enrile served in several administrations in different capacities.

Juan Ponce Enrile, Martial Law architect and political survivor

Juan Ponce Enrile passes away

—With reports from Erik Tenedero and Rose Carmelle Lacuata, ABS-CBN News

Just as frenzied events have done in the past year, they once again shaped landscapes in the Philippines that are likely to have a lasting impact for years to come.

MANILA — Just as frenzied events have done in the past year, they once again shaped landscapes in the Philippines that are likely to have a lasting impact for years to come.

Here are the biggest news stories that defined the country in 2025.

1. ARREST OF RODRIGO DUTERTE

The high court's decision on Duterte's arrest is expected to guide Philippine law enforcement agencies on handling future international arrest pleas for local leaders who are wanted abroad.

SC: Local courts given 30 days to decide on extradition cases

The former president meanwhile continues to challenge the jurisdiction of the ICC over him and awaits a ruling on whether or not he is fit to stand for trial before the tribunal.

His lead counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, had argued that Duterte should be released because of his old age and alleged declining health.

But the Office of the Prosecutor on December 18 cited medical evaluations that found Duterte is fit for legal proceedings.

2. SARA DUTERTE'S IMPEACHMENT

Her impeachment prompted criticisms against the Senate, which waited months before it finally tackled her case despite it being constitutionally mandated to conduct a trial "forthwith."

The high court's decision, which the House and other impeachment filers have challenged, also ruled that a fresh impeachment complaint against Duterte could only be filed in February 2026.

Civil society groups in December filed fresh complaints against the vice president before the Office of the Ombudsman in relation to the alleged mishandling of her confidential funds.

Affidavit from Sara Duterte’s alleged ‘bagman’ referred to Ombudsman

3. FLOOD CONTROL SCANDAL

This year, the country was again hit by another corruption scandal, which some consider the biggest in the nation's history: the looting of billions of pesos of flood control funds.

The corruption scheme led to efforts to recover stolen wealth and various reforms in government to protect taxpayers' money.

4 decades in Congress: Can the anti-political dynasty bill this time be different?

Cabral was believed to be instrumental in the alleged kickback scheme because of her position and long career in the agency, and her death could mean many questions would be left unanswered.

4. CEBU AND DAVAO EARTHQUAKES

Restoration eyed after century-old church in Cebu partially collapses due to quake. Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima/Facebook

The year also saw the Philippines experiencing successive earthquakes, which prompted worries that the dreaded "The Big One" could hit anytime soon.

In late September, a deadly quake struck northern Cebu, and the shaking was so strong it was felt in parts of the country's three main islands, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Seismologists later discovered that the tremor that killed at least 79 people and damaged decades-old churches was triggered by a fault that had not produced a powerful quake in the past 400 years.

5. SEARCH FOR A NEW POPE

Francis served for 12 years as the 266th pope of the Catholic Church, and his leadership was centered on the theme of mercy.

As he championed the welfare of refugees and other marginalized peoples, he also pushed for a more tolerant Catholic Church, including the LGBT community, and the divorced and remarried.

He also criticized economic policies that, according to him, aggravated poverty and inequality.

Three Filipino cardinals participated in the conclave to choose Francis's successor: Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Cardinal Jose Advincula, and Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David.

Taglo was seen as one of the frontrunners going into the conclave, but in the end, Robert Francis Prevost became the first pope from the United States and picked the papal name Leo XIV.

6. OPPOSITION'S VICTORY IN 2025 POLLS

The 2022 elections left Sen. Risa Hontiveros as the lone opposition candidate to secure a spot in the Senate.

But this year's midterm polls saw more of her allies joining the upper chamber and pulling off election victories that defied even the predictions of some survey firms.

Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno's Akbayan party-list topped the party-list race while Leila de Lima's Mamamayang Liberal secured one seat in the 20th Congress.

7. DEATH OF JUAN PONCE ENRILE

Meanwhile, 2025 was also the year when the nation witnessed the death of veteran politician Juan Ponce Enrile.

Enrile, aged 101 when he died of pneumonia, was the chief implementer and architect of Martial Law during the dictatorship of Marcos Sr. administration, where he served as defense minister.

Before he was appointed as Chief Presidential Legal Counsel under the present Marcos Jr. administration, Enrile served in several administrations in different capacities.

Juan Ponce Enrile, Martial Law architect and political survivor

Juan Ponce Enrile passes away

—With reports from Erik Tenedero and Rose Carmelle Lacuata, ABS-CBN News

Just as frenzied events have done in the past year, they once again shaped landscapes in the Philippines that are likely to have a lasting impact for years to come.

MANILA — Just as frenzied events have done in the past year, they once again shaped landscapes in the Philippines that are likely to have a lasting impact for years to come.

Here are the biggest news stories that defined the country in 2025.

1. ARREST OF RODRIGO DUTERTE

The high court's decision on Duterte's arrest is expected to guide Philippine law enforcement agencies on handling future international arrest pleas for local leaders who are wanted abroad.

SC: Local courts given 30 days to decide on extradition cases

The former president meanwhile continues to challenge the jurisdiction of the ICC over him and awaits a ruling on whether or not he is fit to stand for trial before the tribunal.

His lead counsel, Nicholas Kaufman, had argued that Duterte should be released because of his old age and alleged declining health.

But the Office of the Prosecutor on December 18 cited medical evaluations that found Duterte is fit for legal proceedings.

2. SARA DUTERTE'S IMPEACHMENT

Her impeachment prompted criticisms against the Senate, which waited months before it finally tackled her case despite it being constitutionally mandated to conduct a trial "forthwith."

The high court's decision, which the House and other impeachment filers have challenged, also ruled that a fresh impeachment complaint against Duterte could only be filed in February 2026.

Civil society groups in December filed fresh complaints against the vice president before the Office of the Ombudsman in relation to the alleged mishandling of her confidential funds.

Affidavit from Sara Duterte’s alleged ‘bagman’ referred to Ombudsman

3. FLOOD CONTROL SCANDAL

This year, the country was again hit by another corruption scandal, which some consider the biggest in the nation's history: the looting of billions of pesos of flood control funds.

The corruption scheme led to efforts to recover stolen wealth and various reforms in government to protect taxpayers' money.

4 decades in Congress: Can the anti-political dynasty bill this time be different?

Cabral was believed to be instrumental in the alleged kickback scheme because of her position and long career in the agency, and her death could mean many questions would be left unanswered.

4. CEBU AND DAVAO EARTHQUAKES

Restoration eyed after century-old church in Cebu partially collapses due to quake. Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima/Facebook

The year also saw the Philippines experiencing successive earthquakes, which prompted worries that the dreaded "The Big One" could hit anytime soon.

In late September, a deadly quake struck northern Cebu, and the shaking was so strong it was felt in parts of the country's three main islands, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Seismologists later discovered that the tremor that killed at least 79 people and damaged decades-old churches was triggered by a fault that had not produced a powerful quake in the past 400 years.

5. SEARCH FOR A NEW POPE

Francis served for 12 years as the 266th pope of the Catholic Church, and his leadership was centered on the theme of mercy.

As he championed the welfare of refugees and other marginalized peoples, he also pushed for a more tolerant Catholic Church, including the LGBT community, and the divorced and remarried.

He also criticized economic policies that, according to him, aggravated poverty and inequality.

Three Filipino cardinals participated in the conclave to choose Francis's successor: Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Cardinal Jose Advincula, and Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David.

Taglo was seen as one of the frontrunners going into the conclave, but in the end, Robert Francis Prevost became the first pope from the United States and picked the papal name Leo XIV.

6. OPPOSITION'S VICTORY IN 2025 POLLS

The 2022 elections left Sen. Risa Hontiveros as the lone opposition candidate to secure a spot in the Senate.

But this year's midterm polls saw more of her allies joining the upper chamber and pulling off election victories that defied even the predictions of some survey firms.

Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno's Akbayan party-list topped the party-list race while Leila de Lima's Mamamayang Liberal secured one seat in the 20th Congress.

7. DEATH OF JUAN PONCE ENRILE

Meanwhile, 2025 was also the year when the nation witnessed the death of veteran politician Juan Ponce Enrile.

Enrile, aged 101 when he died of pneumonia, was the chief implementer and architect of Martial Law during the dictatorship of Marcos Sr. administration, where he served as defense minister.

Before he was appointed as Chief Presidential Legal Counsel under the present Marcos Jr. administration, Enrile served in several administrations in different capacities.

Juan Ponce Enrile, Martial Law architect and political survivor

Juan Ponce Enrile passes away

—With reports from Erik Tenedero and Rose Carmelle Lacuata, ABS-CBN News

Just as frenzied events have done in the past year, they once again shaped landscapes in the Philippines that are likely to have a lasting impact for years to come.

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Arrest, scandal, deaths: Events that defined the Philippines in 2025

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Arrest, scandal, deaths: Events that defined the Philippines in 2025

Rowegie Abanto,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 20, 2025 04:06 PM PHT

Read More:

2025 Yearender

Yearender

Flood Control

Duterte

ICC

Sara Duterte Impeachment

Cebu Quake

Davao Quake

Earthquakes

Juan Ponce Enrile

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