Deepening political feuds, ex-president Duterte’s ICC arrest and the South China Sea dispute have reshaped the Philippine landscape
Sam Beltran
Published: 28 Dec 2025
SCMP
As the Philippines wraps up a tumultuous year punctuated by colourful barbs thrown across warring political houses, an ongoing corruption scandal surrounding flood control projects threatens to derail President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s administration.
Externally, Manila has been embroiled all year in a long-standing territorial row with Beijing in the South China Sea that shows no signs of waning, while also gearing up for the hot seat as next year’s chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
We recap below the headlines for the Philippines in 2025:
Philippine coastguard personnel treat wounded fishermen inside their vessel in the disputed South China Sea on December 13. Photo: Philippine Coast Guard via AP
Water wars
Tensions between the Philippines and China over disputed waters in the South China Sea heightened following Beijing’s announcement in September of the approval of a national nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal, just 124 nautical miles west of Zambales province.
This came a month after a China Coast Guard (CCG) and navy ship collided while the former was trailing a Philippine Coast Guard vessel during a resupply mission in the area.
The row also came to a head this month, as Manila accused CCG ships of firing water cannons at Filipino fishing vessels near Sabina Shoal, which injured three fishermen and caused significant damage to their boats.
Throughout the year, Beijing has taken more assertive measures in its claims over contested waters, deploying two long-range H-6 bombers in March around the Scarborough Shoal.
The Philippines has meanwhile ramped up joint patrols with allies and continued to deepen defence ties, including its reciprocal access agreement with Japan that came into effect in September.
A woman carries a placard during a protest calling for the impeachment of Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte in Pasay City, Metro Manila, in June. Photo: Reuters
A vice-president’s woes
In February, more than 200 lawmakers at the House of Representatives impeached Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio after signing the fourth impeachment complaint that had been lodged against her.
The charges included her unexplained wealth, the misuse of public funds, the betrayal of public trust, and even allegations of plotting murder after she had threatened to kill Marcos and the first family in November last year.
However, after the House’s articles of impeachment were transmitted to the Senate, which would be required to convene as an impeachment court, then Senate president Francis Escudero maintained it could only begin proceedings after the Congressional recess in June, which sparked criticisms that the chamber was attempting to stall the process.
In July, the Supreme Court blocked impeachment proceedings against Duterte-Carpio but said the complaint might be refiled in February 2026.
Will Duterte become Asia’s first ex-leader convicted by the International Criminal Court?
Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC arrest
Former president Rodrigo Duterte was arrested on March 11 by Philippine police and Interpol agents and quickly flown to The Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity related to his deadly war on drugs during his administration.
Duterte’s lawyer and family members have maintained that his arrest and detention are unlawful and amount to kidnapping.
In August, his defence lawyer appealed to the court for an adjournment of all proceedings, saying the 80-year-old Duterte was not fit to stand trial – a claim rejected by the ICC medical panel which last week ruled the former leader was well enough to take the stand.
The charges against Duterte cover a total of 76 killings that took place between 2016 and 2018 in the Philippines, with some related to the “war on drugs” that he initiated at the beginning of his presidency in 2016.
Both Marcos and Duterte-Carpio suffered blows to their performance and trust ratings after an investigation into corruption-linked flood control projects dominated headlines for months, with parts of the Philippines such as Metro Manila hit by serious floods from torrential rains.
The president ordered an investigation into these projects, which revealed the existence of incomplete or substandard work, including phantom projects for nonexistent infrastructure, despite a total budget of 545 billion pesos disbursed for flood control since 2022.
Marcos’ internal investigation further revealed that only 15 out of 2,409 registered contractors hoarded 100 billion pesos worth of the projects, with the remaining 436 billion pesos divided among 2,394 contractors.
The outrage over billions spent in anomalous flood control projects culminated in weeks of protests from church groups, civil society organisations and the public.
The Philippine government has been mounting arrests towards contractors, officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways, as well as suspected lawmakers. Authorities earlier this month arrested the “queen of flood control” Cezarah Discaya, whose construction firms cornered a lion’s share of flood control projects, while an arrest warrant has been issued for former congressman Zaldy Co, who is currently at large.
Amid woes by Filipinos over economic hardships attributed to corruption, Trade Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque was criticised for what the public considered to be tone-deaf remarks after dispensing advice on a radio programme that 500 pesos (US$8.50) was enough for a family of four to host a “basic” Noche Buena dinner, the traditional Christmas Eve dinner celebrated in the Catholic-majority country.
Roque’s comments were in reference to her claims that the trade department managed to stabilise prices for the festive season, in line with Marcos’ order to keep holiday goods affordable for consumers.
However, critics said Roque’s comments were far from the on-ground realities that Filipino families faced amid continuously rising prices.
Sam Beltran
Sam Beltran is a journalist based in Manila who has written for publications in the Philippines and around Asia. Her stories explore food, lifestyle scenes, popular trends, and sub-cultures as windows into society and the human condition.
Published: 28 Dec 2025
SCMP
As the Philippines wraps up a tumultuous year punctuated by colourful barbs thrown across warring political houses, an ongoing corruption scandal surrounding flood control projects threatens to derail President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s administration.
Externally, Manila has been embroiled all year in a long-standing territorial row with Beijing in the South China Sea that shows no signs of waning, while also gearing up for the hot seat as next year’s chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
We recap below the headlines for the Philippines in 2025:
Philippine coastguard personnel treat wounded fishermen inside their vessel in the disputed South China Sea on December 13. Photo: Philippine Coast Guard via APWater wars
Tensions between the Philippines and China over disputed waters in the South China Sea heightened following Beijing’s announcement in September of the approval of a national nature reserve at Scarborough Shoal, just 124 nautical miles west of Zambales province.
This came a month after a China Coast Guard (CCG) and navy ship collided while the former was trailing a Philippine Coast Guard vessel during a resupply mission in the area.
The row also came to a head this month, as Manila accused CCG ships of firing water cannons at Filipino fishing vessels near Sabina Shoal, which injured three fishermen and caused significant damage to their boats.
Throughout the year, Beijing has taken more assertive measures in its claims over contested waters, deploying two long-range H-6 bombers in March around the Scarborough Shoal.
The Philippines has meanwhile ramped up joint patrols with allies and continued to deepen defence ties, including its reciprocal access agreement with Japan that came into effect in September.
A woman carries a placard during a protest calling for the impeachment of Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte in Pasay City, Metro Manila, in June. Photo: ReutersA vice-president’s woes
In February, more than 200 lawmakers at the House of Representatives impeached Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio after signing the fourth impeachment complaint that had been lodged against her.
The charges included her unexplained wealth, the misuse of public funds, the betrayal of public trust, and even allegations of plotting murder after she had threatened to kill Marcos and the first family in November last year.
However, after the House’s articles of impeachment were transmitted to the Senate, which would be required to convene as an impeachment court, then Senate president Francis Escudero maintained it could only begin proceedings after the Congressional recess in June, which sparked criticisms that the chamber was attempting to stall the process.
In July, the Supreme Court blocked impeachment proceedings against Duterte-Carpio but said the complaint might be refiled in February 2026.
Will Duterte become Asia’s first ex-leader convicted by the International Criminal Court?
Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC arrest
Former president Rodrigo Duterte was arrested on March 11 by Philippine police and Interpol agents and quickly flown to The Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity related to his deadly war on drugs during his administration.
Duterte’s lawyer and family members have maintained that his arrest and detention are unlawful and amount to kidnapping.
In August, his defence lawyer appealed to the court for an adjournment of all proceedings, saying the 80-year-old Duterte was not fit to stand trial – a claim rejected by the ICC medical panel which last week ruled the former leader was well enough to take the stand.
The charges against Duterte cover a total of 76 killings that took place between 2016 and 2018 in the Philippines, with some related to the “war on drugs” that he initiated at the beginning of his presidency in 2016.
People attend a campaign rally of senatorial candidates under the party of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte in Manila on May 8, ahead of the country’s midterm election. Photo: AFP
Clash of the clans
Results of the Philippines’ midterm elections recorded a surge in the youth vote and led to surprise developments, including the Marcos-backed Senate slate winning only half of the chamber’s 12 seats, while staunch Duterte ally and former aide Christopher Go secured re-election with the highest number of votes.
Locally, the Duterte clan maintained its stronghold in its hometown of Davao City, where Rodrigo triumphantly returned to the mayoral seat despite his detention at The Hague, while his son, Sebastian, won as vice-mayor.
Analysts say the outcome of the polls would determine the trajectories of the feuding Marcos and Duterte clans as they wrestle for power in the lead-up to the 2028 presidential election, where Duterte-Carpio has expressed interest in seeking the highest post.
Clash of the clans
Results of the Philippines’ midterm elections recorded a surge in the youth vote and led to surprise developments, including the Marcos-backed Senate slate winning only half of the chamber’s 12 seats, while staunch Duterte ally and former aide Christopher Go secured re-election with the highest number of votes.
Locally, the Duterte clan maintained its stronghold in its hometown of Davao City, where Rodrigo triumphantly returned to the mayoral seat despite his detention at The Hague, while his son, Sebastian, won as vice-mayor.
Analysts say the outcome of the polls would determine the trajectories of the feuding Marcos and Duterte clans as they wrestle for power in the lead-up to the 2028 presidential election, where Duterte-Carpio has expressed interest in seeking the highest post.
People on a wooden boat make their way through floodwaters in Kawit, Cavite province, south of Manila, in July. Outrage over billions spent in anomalous flood control projects culminated in weeks of protests. Photo: EPA
Corruption outrage
Corruption outrage
Both Marcos and Duterte-Carpio suffered blows to their performance and trust ratings after an investigation into corruption-linked flood control projects dominated headlines for months, with parts of the Philippines such as Metro Manila hit by serious floods from torrential rains.
The president ordered an investigation into these projects, which revealed the existence of incomplete or substandard work, including phantom projects for nonexistent infrastructure, despite a total budget of 545 billion pesos disbursed for flood control since 2022.
Marcos’ internal investigation further revealed that only 15 out of 2,409 registered contractors hoarded 100 billion pesos worth of the projects, with the remaining 436 billion pesos divided among 2,394 contractors.
The outrage over billions spent in anomalous flood control projects culminated in weeks of protests from church groups, civil society organisations and the public.
The Philippine government has been mounting arrests towards contractors, officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways, as well as suspected lawmakers. Authorities earlier this month arrested the “queen of flood control” Cezarah Discaya, whose construction firms cornered a lion’s share of flood control projects, while an arrest warrant has been issued for former congressman Zaldy Co, who is currently at large.
Former Bamban mayor Alice Guo during a hearing at the Philippine Senate in September 2024. Guo has been sentenced to life imprisonment over her role in setting up a scam centre. Photo: EPA-EFE/Handout
Alice Guo gets life
A Philippine court found former town mayor Alice Guo guilty of human trafficking and sentenced her to life imprisonment over her role in setting up a scam centre, a year after Guo became the face of a lengthy Senate probe over alleged crimes linked to Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos).
The court also ordered the forfeiture of the 6 billion-peso Baofu property that had been linked to Guo, where authorities uncovered evidence of scam and trafficking operations during a raid in March last year.
Observers hailed the conviction as a decisive victory against organised crime, strengthening the government’s hand in dismantling illicit Pogo hubs linked to exploitation and fraud.
Alice Guo gets life
A Philippine court found former town mayor Alice Guo guilty of human trafficking and sentenced her to life imprisonment over her role in setting up a scam centre, a year after Guo became the face of a lengthy Senate probe over alleged crimes linked to Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos).
The court also ordered the forfeiture of the 6 billion-peso Baofu property that had been linked to Guo, where authorities uncovered evidence of scam and trafficking operations during a raid in March last year.
Observers hailed the conviction as a decisive victory against organised crime, strengthening the government’s hand in dismantling illicit Pogo hubs linked to exploitation and fraud.
Philippine Trade Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque. Photo: Facebook/DTISecretaryCrisRoque
Tone deaf for Christmas
Tone deaf for Christmas
Amid woes by Filipinos over economic hardships attributed to corruption, Trade Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque was criticised for what the public considered to be tone-deaf remarks after dispensing advice on a radio programme that 500 pesos (US$8.50) was enough for a family of four to host a “basic” Noche Buena dinner, the traditional Christmas Eve dinner celebrated in the Catholic-majority country.
Roque’s comments were in reference to her claims that the trade department managed to stabilise prices for the festive season, in line with Marcos’ order to keep holiday goods affordable for consumers.
However, critics said Roque’s comments were far from the on-ground realities that Filipino families faced amid continuously rising prices.
Sam Beltran
Sam Beltran is a journalist based in Manila who has written for publications in the Philippines and around Asia. Her stories explore food, lifestyle scenes, popular trends, and sub-cultures as windows into society and the human condition.
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