2024 Wrapped: When chaos, corruption, and climate crises ravaged the Philippines

IF 2024 were a teleserye, it would have been one filled with jaw-dropping twists of political drama, societal upheavals and environmental woes that kept the plot moving nonstop.

These stories not only dominated headlines but brought to light the deep-seated problems and challenges that every Juan dela Cruz faces daily.

Let us take a look back at the top issues that shaped the national narrative this year.

In an issue that began in April, Dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo found herself at the center of a storm of allegations involving illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) operations, human trafficking, money laundering, and discrepancies in her identity and assets.

These activities were uncovered after POGOs were raided behind her office in Bamban.

Investigations revealed troubling links to criminal activities, including her alleged alias, “Guo Hua Ping,” and her associations with known criminals. 

Despite denying the accusations, Guo was suspended from office and charged. She fled the Philippines but was arrested in Indonesia in September and deported back to the country.

Alongside the attention given to Guo was the light shed on the longstanding issues of corruption, illegal POGO operations, human trafficking, and gaps in verifying officials’ identities. 

Guo’s case stood as a crucial moment for the nation to take more decisive action in improving national security and governance. It also led to the investigation and suspension of many POGO operations across the nation which Marcos addressed on his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22, 2024.

The Office of Vice President, led by Sara Duterte, has come under scrutiny following allegations of misuse of confidential funds last year. 

The controversy first emerged after questions were raised regarding the role of her Chief of Staff Zuleika Lopez, who failed to attend key hearings due to a reported panic attack. It also uncovered the existence of a certain “Mary Grace Piattos,” whose signature appeared on receipts. 

In an unexpected twist, Duterte herself revealed plans for the assassination of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. in the event of her own death.

These have raised alarms about Duterte's conduct as the country’s Vice President. The misuse of taxpayer money, if proven true, would undermine public trust and risk damaging the nation’s political stability. Furthermore, the controversy has ignited questions about the accountability of the Vice President's office and the potential consequences for governance and national security.

Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) and self-proclaimed "Appointed Son of God," was arrested in Davao inside the KOJC compound on September 8 after years of evading capture due to charges in the United States in 2021.

He was indicted on sex trafficking, fraud, coercion, and money laundering charges, accused of exploiting women and minor girls under the guise of religious duty. He allegedly coerced them into sexual acts through threats of damnation and orchestrated a labor trafficking scheme involving sham marriages and fraudulent visas.

Despite these charges, Quiboloy filed for a Senate seat in October through his lawyer just before the deadline. The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) en banc rejected a disqualification motion, ruling that it lacked merit and valid grounds.

Former president Rodrigo Duterte admitted during a Senate drug war probe on October 28 to instructing police officers to encourage suspects to resist arrest, using this as a justification for their deaths during the war on drugs operations. 

He also acknowledged the existence of a death squad under his administration during Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee hearings on illegal drugs. These revelations have added weight to ongoing investigations by the International Criminal Court (ICC). 

The ICC is probing whether Duterte and other officials violated international law by enabling extrajudicial killings, ignoring due process, and fostering impunity. The investigation seeks to deliver justice to the victims and hold those responsible accountable.

Families of victims have long sought answers and justice, and Duterte’s confession has given new momentum to efforts to ensure accountability, both in domestic courts and through the ICC.

The Philippine economy is facing significant changes as cuts to financial support for key sectors become more pronounced.

The Department of Budget and Management's (DBM) decision to cut ₱14 billion from state universities, zero subsidies previously reserved for PhilHealth to the ₱14 billion budget cut from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), has placed a strain on vital public services

The cuts raise concerns about the government's ability to provide adequate resources for future reforms, health opportunities, and election preparedness.

The Philippines has consistently made its mark as the lowest in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), where in the 2018 PISA results, the Philippines ranked second to last for reading, mathematics, and science among 79 participating countries. Meanwhile, in the 2022 PISA results, the same country ranked 6th lowest among 81 countries for reading and mathematics, and 3rd lowest for science.

To address these gaps, an educational reboot was planned: the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Law, where struggling students in mathematics, science, language arts, and special education will undergo intervention measures by means of tutoring for 6 hours. 

As Filipino students exhibited one of the highest levels of math anxiety, which could potentially limit their capacity to learn, the Department of Education (DepEd) will also integrate more challenging, real-life scenarios in its practice test to tackle ongoing academic issues in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

However, the success of these initiatives is yet to be seen as the country continues to work towards bridging the gaps, such as the pandemic-related learning losses and out-of-school youth, in its education system.

On December 4, China launched another water cannon attack on Filipino vessels in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc in the West Philippine Sea. These attacks are continuous as the Philippines and China have remained locked in a territorial dispute over the West Philippine Sea since 1995. Despite a 2016 Hague ruling that invalidated China’s sweeping claims about the nine-dash line, they continued with aggressive actions such as harassment of Filipino fishermen, dangerous maneuvers against Philippine vessels, and water cannon attacks. 

The recent incidents show China’s “gray zone tactics” to assert control without triggering open conflict. The Philippines seeks to assert sovereignty through regional alliances and adherence to international law.

The ongoing dispute threatens the Philippines’ sovereignty, endangering fisherfolk and military personnel, and shearing resources for maritime defense. It also shows the need to adhere to the rule of law to address rising geopolitical tensions. The government must strengthen international alliances and prioritize protecting the locals and their livelihood. 

The Sandiganbayan dismissed an ill-gotten wealth case involving the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, Sr., former first lady Imelda Marcos, and the late businessman Eduardo Cojuangco, Jr.

The court's decision followed the government’s withdrawal of two civil cases accusing the Marcoses and Cojuangco of acquiring assets like UCPB shares and San Miguel Corporation stocks through questionable means. While one of the cases remains active, it now focuses only on claims for damages, following ongoing negotiations with Subic International Air Charter, a complainant in the case.

This decision brings renewed attention to the long-standing issue of corruption and accountability tied to the Marcos regime. Decades after these cases were filed, the challenges of pursuing justice and recovering assets persist. 

The move to withdraw the cases also raises questions about the government’s commitment to addressing historical wrongs and the potential impact of compromise agreements on achieving accountability for the Filipino people.

NEDA’s P64 Meal Budget 

National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan claimed that P64 pesos is enough to cover breakfast, lunch, and dinner already, fit to meet basic nutritional needs–provided that each meal must cost P21.30. 

The P64 budget meal, however, became a flashpoint for debates on the reality of food prices and poverty in the Philippines.

Government officials argue that the sample meal oversimplifies the complexities of food affordability in the Philippines, where millions of Filipinos already struggle to afford basic necessities. 

Despite its flaws, an opportunity to reignite discussions about the food threshold and the broader issue of poverty alleviation managed to emerge from the P64 budget meal proposal, calling for the urgency of addressing issues that go beyond mere budget calculations.

After losing the 2020 election to Joe Biden, former United States (US) President Donald Trump has made a triumphant return in the 2024 US Presidential Elections, defeating Democrat candidate Kamala Harris in November 2024.

His return, however, has sparked global headlines, even for the Philippines, a key ally of the US in the Asia-Pacific region.

Trump's “America First” ideal, which prioritizes American interests over global partnerships, has previously led to strained relations with countries like the Philippines. In 2017, for instance, Trump withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a trade agreement aimed to strengthen economic ties between 12 countries in the Asia-Pacific. This move restricted the Philippines’ access to broader trade opportunities and created barriers to its economic growth. 

He also relied on China’s support to denuclearize North Korea, China’s primary ally, yet accused China of unfair trade practices and intellectual property theft, making it a mix of cooperation and tension with China, with the Philippines stuck in the middle of choosing an ally.

Jeepney phaseout 

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board began enforcing the Public Utility Vehicle modernization program by cracking down on jeepneys that had not joined the initiatives. 

Starting on May 16, unconsolidated jeepney drivers face fines of up to P10,000, impoundment of their vehicles, and possible suspension of operations. Meanwhile, President Marcos reaffirmed his commitment to pushing the modernization amid calls to suspend its implementation.

This crackdown emphasized the challenges of balancing modernization with the livelihoods of jeepney drivers. While the government offered support programs, such as TESDA training with allowances and business loans, many drivers and operators struggled to cope with the financial and operational demands of the modernization shift. According to Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON)’s data, approximately 500,000 drivers, 300,000 operators, and two million families will be affected by the jeepney phaseout. 

In April, the impact of intense heat and storms led to the proposed amendments to DO 37, revision of class suspension guidelines that expanded the DepEd Order (DO) 22, and lost days in learning as with the suspension of 4,000 classes due to strong storms and extreme heat disrupting the social and environmental well-being of communities, industries, and individuals. 

The growing environmental challenges are also contributing to economic strain, with economic inflation climbing to 13.6% in 2024, as predicted by the World Bank Group’s Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR).

All the while, the country has witnessed an ecological increase in forestation, with a recovery of 2.9% reaching 6.91 million hectares of land area in 2020. 

Ongoing challenges faced as a result of deteriorating environment urges for more engaged human responsibility. From rising sea levels and typhoons to water and biodiversity loss, demands for greater public awareness and proactive legislation of relevant decrees, allowing for better discussion and humanitarian acts in addressing the changing climate in light of shared awareness and understanding to help mitigate its effects in the country. 

The 2024 Paris Olympics took the world in awe and surprise as it navigated the Olympian games and ceremonies with a much more progressive outlook. 

With more than ten thousands of participants and two hundred countries, the Olympics is now ever more renowned for its diversity and inclusivity, with notable wins from worldwide participants, such as Carlos Yulo, who won a gold medal in the men's floor exercise, Katie Ledecky, who competitively scored four gold medals in the women's 800 meter freestyle, and Noah Lyles, who championed a gold medal in the men's 100 meter dash. 

The Olympics also integrated non-traditional sports such as skateboarding, sport climbing, and gymnastics, complementary city scenery, and sustainable efforts to reduce carbon emissions for a better cultural and environmental reflection on nature and the environment.

The 2024 Olympics broaden the implications not only for the Olympic games but foster a stronger sense of entertainment, stewardship, and diversity founded on cultural unity and heritage around the world. Its success has set the stage for future international acts of cultural appreciation and increasing visibility of national heritage, demonstrating that large-scale events can exhibit and prioritize environmental responsibility while celebrating cultural diversity and athletic excellence.

On October 9, the Supreme Court ruled that private chat logs and videos can now be used as evidence in court without violating privacy rights, as long as they help investigate crimes. 

This ruling came during the case of Eul Vincent Rodriguez, who was convicted of qualified human trafficking. Rodriguez argued that using his private messages and videos violated his right to privacy. Still, the court ruled that the Data Privacy Act of 2012 allows such information to be used when it's necessary to determine criminal responsibility or protect people’s legal rights. 

In contrast, famous cases like Maris Racal's cheating issue and the feud between Denise Julia and BJ Pascual that are exposed through screenshots of private logs raise concerns about the application of the privacy act. The screenshots released in these controversies were not used as legal evidence, as they were not part of a criminal case or legal proceeding.

This ruling addressed the increasing use of digital evidence in criminal cases. With more crimes being carried out online, the decision highlights the need for a balance between privacy protection and ensuring that important evidence can be used to hold individuals accountable for crimes committed. 

After nearly 15 years of detention in Indonesia on charges of trafficking 2.6 kilograms of heroin, overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Mary Jane Veloso returned to the Philippines on December 18, a result of extensive diplomatic negotiations between the Philippine and Indonesian governments. 

Upon her return, Veloso’s death sentence was automatically nullified due to the Philippines’ abolition of capital punishment. However, President Marcos has yet to decide whether to grant her an official pardon or to take further action on her legal case.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), over 2 million Filipinos work abroad, with many experiencing exploitation and abuse. Veloso’s ordeal is often cited as an example of the risks migrant workers face in foreign countries, particularly in regions where labor laws are weak, and human trafficking is rampant. 

Legal experts are closely watching the Philippine government handle clemency requests, as her case continues to highlight the risks and challenges of the OFW experience.

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is undergoing significant changes in preparation for its parliamentary elections, originally scheduled for May 2025 but now postponed to May 2026.

This decision comes after former President Duterte signed a law on October 28, 2021, that extends the transition period, incorporating additional authority figures and eight more municipalities to strengthen local governance. The adjustments have received support from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). 

Yet, this delay marks the second postponement of the election since BARMM’s establishment in February 2019. 

De Lima’s acquittal 

Former Philippine senator and human rights defender Leila de Lima has been fully acquitted after nearly seven years of arbitrary detention under what many consider politically motivated charges.

De Lima was arrested in 2017 under the Duterte administration on fabricated drug-related charges, widely seen as an attempt to silence her vocal opposition to the war on drugs and her advocacy for human rights.

Amnesty International hailed her acquittal, calling it long overdue, and urged President Marcos to protect human rights defenders, investigate her persecution, and ensure accountability for extrajudicial killings and abuses during Duterte’s administration.

Her long-overdue acquittal calls for accountability and compensation from those that violate the right to liberty, presumption of innocence, and fair trial for those that are innocent and falsely accused. 

Gcash, a mobile payment service in the Philippines, has long been known for its convenient cashless solutions. However, the service faced a series of technical issues in November 2024 that raised concerns about its reliability and security.

In November, the app experienced transaction delays and troubleshooting issues with its users login credentials, leading to negative reviews in regards with the efficacy of the system. 

Alongside this, incidents pertaining to fund loss and unauthorized transactions from its users were eventually resolved by the company with little evidence of external hacking. Users have called for enhanced security protocols and greater transparency from the platform to protect their stored data and maintain integrity with the app's clients.