MANILA — 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.
Marcos also created the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) through an executive order to investigate the alleged misuse of funds and corruption in government flood control projects.
However, critics — including civil society groups, citizens, lawmakers, and even some ICI members — repeatedly questioned the commission’s lack of enforcement power, calling it an independent body without sufficient “teeth.”
Despite saying he welcomes the anti-corruption protests, the president was not spared from public outrage as he is also among those highly criticized in September and November massive protests in different areas and campuses, which showed Filipinos' “collective agitation” over alleged widespread corruption.
WRAP: Bulacan protests vs. alleged corruption in flood control so far
The political tide shifted further when former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co claimed he and his cousin, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, benefit from the supposed P100-billion insertion that was initially blamed on the billionaire congressman
Marcos denied this, calling it part of destabilization efforts to oust him from the presidency, with the Palace calling it an attempt by the resigned congressman to save himself.
Marcos promised all the individuals accused of corruption in flood control cases could be arrested and jailed before Christmas.
This December, the President urged Congress to pass as soon as possible the bills concerning anti-dynasty and party-list system reforms; as well as the Independent People’s Commission Act and the Citizens Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability (CADENA) Act.
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.
Duterte accused her former running mate of wanting “to perpetuate himself or his family in power,” being selective in corruption probes, supposedly politicizing everything, and committing alleged “state kidnapping” with the arrest of her father by Philippine authorities and his transfer to the International Criminal Court over his deadly war on drugs.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro has often figured in a word war with Vice President Duterte, often emphasizing her issues with supposed confidential funds misuse, personal trips, or her father's alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings.
Vice President Duterte has also come under scrutiny in anti-corruption protests, with some groups likening her confidential funds issue to the flood control scandal.
This December, Duterte once again found herself at the center of controversy after civil society groups filed plunder, graft, bribery, and malversation complaints against her and 15 others over an alleged “deliberate system” to mishandle and conceal P612.5 million in confidential funds.
Duterte said she sees how a fresh impeachment complaint against her could be used as a “bargaining chip” for lawmakers, just in time for the passage of the 2026 national budget.
Several House members tagged this as "pure speculation", saying Duterte has "serious accountability issues".
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.
The 80-year-old Duterte patriarch had initially instructed the government to pull out of the ICC's founding treaty, the Rome Statute, during his term. However, the ICC ruled that the alleged crimes committed before Manila's withdrawal are still under its jurisdiction.
Led by the former president's defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman, his camp requested the ICC to postpone the trial — which was supposed to start September 23 — alleging that Duterte is "not fit" to stand trial, citing old age and poor health.
Pre-Trial Chamber 1 postponed the confirmation of charges hearing pending the results of a fitness examination.
ICC Assistant to Counsel Atty. Kristina Conti said that even if Duterte proves he is "unfit" for trial, the court won't automatically dismiss the case and he will remain in its custody.
Pre-Trial Chamber 1 ordered a medical examination on Duterte through a panel of appointed experts. Kaufman said the names of the experts were already "provided" to the team.
Meanwhile, Duterte's bid for a conditional release was rejected by the ICC's Appeals Chamber, ruling that he should remain in detention at The Hague.
Pre-Trial Chamber 1 cited concerns that his release could endanger potential witnesses, adding that his family’s claims of “kidnapping” reflect their rejection of the Court’s proceedings and shows "the will of his close family to help him elude detention and prosecution."
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.
Shortly after that, Co himself broke his silence on the issue, stating he allegedly received instructions to insert P100 billion worth of flood control projects in the 2025 national budget from Marcos through Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and Romualdez.
The Palace denied the accusation, while House party leaders had rejected various allegations made by Co, insisting he is likely the “most guilty.” Marcos also announced the cancellation of Co's passport, after alleging that the former lawmaker tried to "blackmail" the administration to keep it – which Co's legal counsel denied.
The Philippines has already requested an Interpol Red Notice that could help arrest the former lawmaker, while the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is firm that possible extradition complications will not prevent authorities from eventually arresting Co.
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.
During the hearings, Hernandez linked Sens. Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada in flood control anomalies, while Alcantara admitted that there were contractors "borrowing" licenses from other firms, in connection to stacks of cash shown during the House probe.
But aside from this, Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson also accused the former DPWH officials of posing as contractors during their casino dealings and supposedly blew over P950 million in casino losses. Lacson said they gained the moniker "BGC Boys" or Bulacan Group of Contractors.
The senator said the casinos cannot claim they were unaware that the DPWH officials were using fake IDs to gamble.
Hernandez joined a “tell all” meeting with the Department of Justice (DOJ) as the agency evaluated his application for the Witness Protection Program (WPP).
Alcantara meanwhile read in his sworn statement during a Senate hearing that former Sen. Bong Revilla, along with former Reps. Co and Mitch Cajayon-Uy, had also allegedly received payoffs from their insertions in the national budget.
The DPWH found Alcantara guilty of grave misconduct, disloyalty, neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, while it said Hernandez, Mendoza, and accountant III Juanito Mendoza of Bulacan 1st District will also face administrative and criminal raps.
In November, Alcantara turned over P110 million to the DOJ as part of the restitution process, and is expected to return a total of P300 million.
But when the media asked him how much he would return in the next tranche, the former DPWH official did not respond.
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.
They later testified before Congress, claiming they were coerced by corrupt officials in DPWH to pay portions of projects to secure contracts.
The Discayas’ testimonies revealed the alleged involvement of several elected lawmakers and public officials, eventually unfolding the systemic corruption in the government bidding and budgeting process.
Their testimonies aside, the couple’s headlines also featured their at least 28 luxury cars allegedly purchased through ill-gotten wealth.
The vehicles have been confiscated by the Bureau of Customs. Some were auctioneed off of which the proceeds went to the national treasury.
Curlee remains under Senate custody after being cited in contempt for lying during a Blue Ribbon hearing, while Sarah has been arrested over a P96.5 million "ghost" flood project in Davao Occidental
She has since been transferred to Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu to face the case.
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.
Before this, Escudero was found to have received P30 million worth of campaign donations from a contractor. The Commission on Elections’ Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD) later decided the donation did not violate the Election Code.
Eight days after the Senate leadership change, Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez stepped down from the House speakership, as he was being implicated as among the masterminds of the massive corruption scandal.
Romualdez has maintained his innocence and has said he will cooperate with investigations.
He was replaced as House speaker by Isabela Rep. Faustino “Bojie” Dy III.
Orly Guteza, Co’s supposed former staff, said Romualdez and Co receivedsuitcases of cash amounting to millions of pesos, which the former speaker denied.
In November, Co also claimed Romualdez, as allegedly instructed by Marcos, ordered him to insert P100 billion worth of projects in the bicameral conference committee version of the 2025 national budget.
Romualdez once again denied the allegations and said Co’s claims “do not hold water in the court of law.”
The ICI has recommended the Office of the Ombudsman to further investigate Romualdez.
The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism this month reported that Romualdez and Presidential son Sandro Marcos bagged a total of P1.2 trillion worth of “allocable,” the new pork barrel, from 2023 to 2025.
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.
The ICI then filed its second batch of complaints against lawmakers who are allegedly “congtractors,” or lawmakers who also own construction firms. This includes Co, Reps. Edwin Gardiola, James Ang Jr., Jernie Jett Nisa, Augustina Pancho, Joseph Lara, Francisco Matugas and Noel Rivera.
Former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo previously alleged that Sen. Mark Villar and former senators Grace Poe, Bong Revilla and Nancy Binay also benefited from “commitments” from the infrastructure projects they requested from DPWH.
Reps. Roman Romulo, Jojo Ang, Patrick Michael Vargas, Arjo Atayde, Nicanor Briones, Marcelino Teodoro, Florida Robles, Benjamin Agarao Jr., Florencio Gabriel Noel, Florencio Gabriel Noel, Reynante Arrogancia, Teodoro Haresco, Antonieta Eudela, Dean Asistio, and Marivic Co Pilar also allegedly received commitment from “allocated” projects, according to the Discaya couple.
Several of the implicated lawmakers have faced the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, including Romualdez, Atayde, Asistio, Briones and Agarao.
The Bureau of Immigration issued an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) on several lawmakers to note their departure and arrivals, as there remains no arrest warrants against the majority of them.
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.
A Pampanga court ordered Roque’s arrest May this year for his alleged involvement in the human trafficking cases perpetrated by the POGO hub.
The warrant came while Roque was already in the Netherlands requesting political asylum, a protection given to individuals who cannot come back home due to a persecution threat.
A few months later, reports said the Dutch government declined his bid.
Roque, despite refusing to come back to the Philippines, remained active in throwing comments and attending support rallies for former president and ICC-detained Rodrigo Duterte in The Hague throughout the year.
In late November, the passports of Roque and his co-accused, Cassandra Ong and others, were officially cancelled, which means Roque could no longer travel to another country.
The former presidential spokesperson next day said he was onboard to Vienna, Austria, but was reportedly offloaded later.
The Philippine government has requested Interpol’s Red Notice against Roque, which he called a “political retaliation” and a violation of international law.
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.
The Manila court entered a "not guilty" plea for Teves as he did not enter a plea during the arraignment he attended through video conferencing.
He is also facing charges for illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
Teves was expelled from the House of Representatives in August 2023 due to his continued absence from his duties.
In September this year, a Manila court granted Teves’ bail petition in his murder case, set at P120,000.
The bail petitions for his other cases are still pending, according to his legal counsel.