Duterte Arrest, Impeachment Drama, And Corruption Shake Philippines

As the curtain falls on 2025, the Philippines finds itself at a political crossroads, battered by a relentless series of scandals, power struggles, and public upheaval. The year’s events have unfolded with such speed and intensity that many Filipinos are still catching their breath, struggling to make sense of the aftershocks that continue to reverberate through the nation’s political landscape. From the dramatic impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte to the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, and from an unprecedented corruption scandal to sweeping reforms, 2025 has proven to be a year that will be remembered for both its turmoil and its potential for change.

The opening months of the year set the tone for what would become a historic period in Philippine politics. In December 2024, Vice President Sara Duterte faced three impeachment complaints filed by various civic groups, following a House of Representatives probe into her office’s alleged misuse of confidential funds. For weeks, the House appeared hesitant to act, prompting widespread protests demanding accountability. Then, on February 5, 2025, the political landscape shifted dramatically when 215 out of 316 House members signed a fourth impeachment complaint, launching formal proceedings against the vice president. According to Rappler, this move “had the whole nation, regardless of party, watching the news with bated breath.”

Yet, the saga took a twist when the Senate, which had adjourned during the election period, delayed any action on the complaint until June. By August, the Senate finally convened as an impeachment court, only to dismiss the articles of impeachment after the Supreme Court declared the proceedings unconstitutional. For many of Sara Duterte’s critics, this outcome felt like a bait-and-switch, leaving them frustrated and the vice president’s fate unresolved. The controversy did not end there; on December 12, several groups filed a plunder complaint with the Ombudsman against Duterte over the alleged misuse of confidential funds, keeping the issue alive in the public consciousness.

While the vice president’s legal battles dominated headlines, another political bombshell dropped in March. Rumors swirled that the International Criminal Court (ICC) had issued an arrest warrant for former President Rodrigo Duterte. The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced on March 10 that they were prepared to arrest Duterte upon his return from Hong Kong, where he had attended a campaign sortie. The very next day, Duterte was arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport and detained at Villamor Air Base before being flown to The Hague, Netherlands. The move sparked outrage among Duterte’s supporters, who rallied both online and in the streets with calls to “bring him home.” Despite his legal team’s efforts to secure his interim release, the ICC unanimously rejected Duterte’s plea on October 10, signaling the international community’s resolve to hold him accountable.

Amid these high-profile legal dramas, the country was rocked by a flood control corruption scandal that exposed the deep roots of political and business collusion. Families of politicians and businessmen linked to the scandal became the target of public ire, especially as social media influencers flaunted their wealth while the nation grappled with devastating typhoons. Senate investigations into anomalous infrastructure projects only heightened public anger. In September, Ellis Co, son of former Congressman Zaldy Co, publicly urged his father to surrender to authorities and take responsibility for his role in the scandal. Still, Ellis was not spared criticism, with netizens quick to point out his own privileged background and parental support for his business ventures.

The public’s frustration boiled over on September 21, when mass protests against government corruption erupted across the country. Demonstrators converged at Luneta in Manila before marching to Mendiola and Recto, where clashes with police ensued. The protests, which echoed similar uprisings around the globe, resulted in the arrest of 216 individuals—now known as the “Mendiola 216”—who were detained without warrants at various police stations. Human rights groups sounded the alarm over reports of “grave conditions” and alleged police brutality, raising fresh concerns about the state of civil liberties in the Philippines.

The unrest and calls for accountability had ripple effects throughout the political establishment. The midterm elections delivered a crushing defeat to the administration slate, signaling a loss of public trust. Key political figures—including the once-untouchable House Speaker and the Senate President—fell from power, while the influential wife of the Senate President also faced public scrutiny. The fallout extended to the business world, with even Manuel Villar, long considered the country’s wealthiest tycoon, witnessing his conglomerate’s reputation and financial stability take a hit. As Val Villanueva wrote for Rappler, “credibility has become the economy’s most valuable—and most vulnerable—asset.”

Yet, amid the chaos, seeds of reform began to sprout. Mass mobilizations and the flood control scandal fueled demands for greater transparency and structural change. On December 13, the government responded by live-streaming the once-secretive bicameral conference committee hearings to finalize the 2026 national budget—a move aimed at restoring public trust and allowing watchdog groups to scrutinize the process in real time. Bills were also filed in Congress to operationalize the constitutional mandate prohibiting political dynasties, and a coalition of local officials, academics, and civil society organizations emerged to champion a robust anti-dynasty law. While some proposals remain weak, the momentum for reform is palpable, with advocates determined to ensure these efforts do not become mere window dressing.

Not all the year’s news was confined to the halls of government. On December 12, the Philippine Coast Guard reported that nearly two dozen Filipino fishing boats near Escoda Shoal were targeted with water cannons and blocking maneuvers, highlighting ongoing territorial tensions with China. Yet, for many Filipinos, the domestic political storms overshadowed even these international provocations.

As if to underscore the year’s unpredictability, November brought the passing of Juan Ponce Enrile, a political titan whose seven-decade career began and ended in service to a Marcos president. Enrile, who died at the age of 103 after a bout of pneumonia, was acquitted of plunder charges related to the infamous Pork Barrel Scam just weeks before his death. His acquittal, while closing the chapter on one of the country’s longest-running corruption cases, raised concerns about the precedent it might set for ongoing investigations into the flood control scandal.

It’s been a year of reckoning for the Philippines—a time when the mighty have fallen, the streets have stirred with protest, and the machinery of government has been forced to confront its own failings. While the challenges remain daunting, the momentum for change is unmistakable. As the nation pauses for rest and reflection during the holidays, there’s a sense that 2025, for all its horrors, may yet be remembered as the year when Filipinos demanded—and began to build—a better future.