Marcos, Duterte, Co and more: 10 people who made PH headlines in 2025

MANILA, December 31 ------ From investigations into infrastructure projects and corruption probe, to continued clashes between former political allies and battles before an international court, 2025 delivered a cascade of issues surrounding familiar names.

Before we ring in 2026, here’s a look back at 10 personalities whose actions shaped national discourse and made Philippine headlines this year.

1. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

This year has been one of the most challenging for Marcos yet, as he faces back-to-back controversies over flood control projects. During his 4th State of the Nation Address, he opened the investigation into alleged anomalies in Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) flood infrastructure projects, urging erring officials to be accountable with his infamous "mahiya naman kayo (Have some shame)!" remark. From there, he actively participated in the probe by visiting some "ghost" flood control projects in Bulacan and other provinces, launching the Sumbong sa Pangulo website, and revealing the names of 15 contractors who bagged P100 billion worth of flood control projects since 2022.

2. Vice President Sara Duterte

Duterte entered the year facing political pressure after 215 members of the House of Representatives signed an impeachment complaint against her, citing allegations that include corruption; plotting to assassinate Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Romualdez; malversation over P612.5 million in confidential funds; destabilization efforts; and involvement in extrajudicial killings. The Supreme Court, however, ruled in a unanimous decision that the articles of impeachment against the Vice President are barred by the one year rule and the Senate could not acquire jurisdiction over the impeachment proceedings. The Senate then archived the articles of impeachment.

3. Former President Rodrigo Duterte

Sara's father, Rodrigo, was arrested in March 2025 on the charge of committing crimes against humanity during the deadly years-long drug war that became his signature policy. He was taken into custody at Manila airport shortly after stepping off a plane following a Hong Kong visit, he was brought to the International Criminal Court detention center at The Hague in the Netherlands. The warrant for Duterte's arrest stated that as president, he allegedly created, funded, and armed death squads that carried out murders of purported drug users and dealers. A survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) in March 2025 showed that 51 percent of Filipinos believe Duterte must be liable for the drug suspects that have been killed under his administration, while 25 percent said they disagree.

4. Former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy "Zaldy" Co

When accusations of "inserting" P13.8 billion in the bicameral conference committee version of the 2025 budget were raised against Co, he was reportedly in the United States for medical treatment, according to House spokesperson Princess Abante. But as public clamor for his return intensified, Co's absence stretched on, until he eventually resigned from his post, with his lawyer saying he is “deathly afraid” to return to the Philippines due to “serious threats” to his life. Among the issues thrown at him — all of which he has denied — were allowing last-minute insertions in the 2025 budget during his tenure as the House Committee on Appropriations chair, and indulging in extravagant displays of wealth in the eyes of the public. He was also urged to clarify his ties with Sunwest Inc., the conglomerate that he founded and landed billions in government contracts. Co's lawyer stated last November his client is only guilty of "fear of danger" and that it was unclear what specific line items are involved in the accusations, stating there is nothing legally wrong in "insertions" during the bicam.

5. Bulacan Group of Contractors (BGC Boys)

Several dismissed officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Bulacan, the so-called epicenter of anomalous flood control projects, became the talk of the town as they attended Congressional hearings probing the issue. These include Bulacan 1st District former district engineer Henry Alcantara, former assistant district engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez, former construction section chief Jaypee Mendoza, engineers Arjay Domasig and Edrick San Diego — who all reportedly worked on the said substandard or "ghost" projects in the province.

6. Sarah and Curlee Discaya

The Discaya couple made headlines this year as the first contractors alleged to be engaged in anomalous flood control projects through not just one — but nine construction firms. They were among those at the forefront of the issue, after Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto criticized some of Discayas’ interviews and Marcos included their firms in his list of contractors who cornered billions worth of flood control projects since 2022.

7. Former Senate President Francisco "Chiz" Escudero and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez

The Congress leadership shakeup was also a surprise to Filipinos this year, stemming from allegations that some members of the Senate and the House of Representatives are possibly behind the "ghost" or sub-standard flood control infrastructures. Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III abruptly replaced Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero September this year briefly after his own coup against Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri.

8. Lawmakers tagged in the anomalous flood control projects

Aside from Co, Romualdez and Escudero, a long list of senators and House members also emerged in the probe on the anomalous flood control projects this year. Last Oct. 29, the ICI filed complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman against Co, Villanueva, Estrada, Cajayon-Uy and others, with the potential violations of Direct or Indirect Bribery and Corruption of Public Officials, Corruption of Public Officers, and Plunder. The complaints were based on the testimonies the BGC Boys gave before the Senate.

9. Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque

Roque was a common name in the news in early 2025 due to his ties with the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub Lucky South 99.

10. Expelled Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves

Teves could not escape the headlines following his arrest and deportation early this year from Timor-Leste. Teves faces murder charges for his alleged masterminding of the killing of late Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo in March 2023. He hid for two years before being arrested by the Timor-Leste authorities night of May 27.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com