2024 in Philippine politics: 'Uniteam' collapse, POGO ban, deepening PH-China row | ABS-CBN
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2024 in Philippine politics: 'Uniteam' collapse, POGO ban, deepening PH-China row
2024 in Philippine politics: 'Uniteam' collapse, POGO ban, deepening PH-China row
Jauhn Etienne Villaruel,
ABS-CBN News
Published Dec 23, 2024 04:25 PM PHT
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Updated Dec 23, 2024 05:03 PM PHT
The UniTeam party holds its Miting De Avance on Aseana Avenue in Parañaque on May 7, 2022. Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News/File
The UniTeam party holds its Miting De Avance on Aseana Avenue in Parañaque on May 7, 2022. Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA — The messy breakup of the so-called "Uniteam" or the alliance of the powerful Marcos and Duterte clans was arguably the most consequential political development of 2024, a year before a crucial midterm elections.
MANILA — The messy breakup of the so-called "Uniteam" or the alliance of the powerful Marcos and Duterte clans was arguably the most consequential political development of 2024, a year before a crucial midterm elections.
But aside from the collapse of what many considered as a formidable alliance, there were many other political events that made their mark on Filipinos this 2024, either for better or for worse.
But aside from the collapse of what many considered as a formidable alliance, there were many other political events that made their mark on Filipinos this 2024, either for better or for worse.
THE END OF UNITEAM
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte attend the Commencement Exercises of the PMA Bagong Sinag Class of 2024 in Fort Gen. Gregorio H. Del Pilar, in Baguio City on May 18, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte attend the Commencement Exercises of the PMA Bagong Sinag Class of 2024 in Fort Gen. Gregorio H. Del Pilar, in Baguio City on May 18, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN NewsBefore Duterte resigned from the Marcos cabinet in June, the cracks in their relationship had started to manifest much earlier.
Before Duterte resigned from the Marcos cabinet in June, the cracks in their relationship had started to manifest much earlier.
In January 2024, former President Rodrigo Duterte, the Vice President's father, accused his successor Marcos of drug use, without offering proof. In February, Sara's brother Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte expressed dismay about the current administration’s handling of country and urged Marcos to resign.
In January 2024, former President Rodrigo Duterte, the Vice President's father, accused his successor Marcos of drug use, without offering proof. In February, Sara's brother Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte expressed dismay about the current administration’s handling of country and urged Marcos to resign.
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At that time, the Vice President tried to distance herself from the tirades of her family, adding that she was on “good terms” with Marcos.
At that time, the Vice President tried to distance herself from the tirades of her family, adding that she was on “good terms” with Marcos.
But in April, First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos in a rare interview painted a different picture of their families' relationship, revealing her gripe against Sara Duterte and her father.
But in April, First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos in a rare interview painted a different picture of their families' relationship, revealing her gripe against Sara Duterte and her father.
"Bad shot na 'yan sa akin, unless she says sorry or whatever. She crossed the line," the First Lady said.
"Bad shot na 'yan sa akin, unless she says sorry or whatever. She crossed the line," the First Lady said.
In the same month, Marcos still defended Duterte, saying he saw no reason to sack her from her DepEd post.
In the same month, Marcos still defended Duterte, saying he saw no reason to sack her from her DepEd post.
But on June 19, Duterte announced she was leaving the Marcos cabinet, with many considering it the "end" of Uniteam.
But on June 19, Duterte announced she was leaving the Marcos cabinet, with many considering it the "end" of Uniteam.
POGO BAN
Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) along Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) raid a BPO compound in Bagac, Bataan on October 31,2024 alleged to be a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO), following a search warrant for human trafficking violations. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) along Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) raid a BPO compound in Bagac, Bataan on October 31,2024 alleged to be a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO), following a search warrant for human trafficking violations. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN NewsThe crumbling alliance of the Marcoses and Dutertes preceded a shift in policies.
The crumbling alliance of the Marcoses and Dutertes preceded a shift in policies.
In July, during his State of the Nation Address, Marcos announced that he was banning all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), an industry which thrived during the Duterte administration.
In July, during his State of the Nation Address, Marcos announced that he was banning all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), an industry which thrived during the Duterte administration.
Before this, a series of Senate investigations led by Sen. Risa Hontiveros unmasked Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo as a supposed Chinese national who was allegedly planted to facilitate the operation of a scam hub in her town.
Before this, a series of Senate investigations led by Sen. Risa Hontiveros unmasked Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo as a supposed Chinese national who was allegedly planted to facilitate the operation of a scam hub in her town.
Aside from the ouster of Guo as mayor, the Senate probe was instrumental in unraveling several crimes supposedly linked to POGOs, including scam hubs, human trafficking, torture, money laundering, and, allegedly, Chinese espionage and propaganda.
Aside from the ouster of Guo as mayor, the Senate probe was instrumental in unraveling several crimes supposedly linked to POGOs, including scam hubs, human trafficking, torture, money laundering, and, allegedly, Chinese espionage and propaganda.
It also exposed a loophole in the country's late birth registration system that was used by foreign nationals to obtain a fake Filipino identity.
It also exposed a loophole in the country's late birth registration system that was used by foreign nationals to obtain a fake Filipino identity.
On Dec. 15, all the licenses of the remaining POGOs were officially revoked and government agencies have been ordered to stamp out those who would continue to operate underground.
On Dec. 15, all the licenses of the remaining POGOs were officially revoked and government agencies have been ordered to stamp out those who would continue to operate underground.
QUIBOLOY DOWNFALL
Police secure Kingdom of Jesus Christ Pastor Apollo Quiboloy as arrives at the Pasig Regional Trial Court for his arraignment on Friday, September 13, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
Police secure Kingdom of Jesus Christ Pastor Apollo Quiboloy as arrives at the Pasig Regional Trial Court for his arraignment on Friday, September 13, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN NewsKingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, a close ally of Rodrigo Duterte and his family, was made to answer for his alleged crimes against women and children within his religious group.
Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, a close ally of Rodrigo Duterte and his family, was made to answer for his alleged crimes against women and children within his religious group.
In September, after months of hiding from congressional probes, Quiboloy surrendered to authorities after weeks of standoff in his Davao City compound.
In September, after months of hiding from congressional probes, Quiboloy surrendered to authorities after weeks of standoff in his Davao City compound.
In October, the detained KOJC founder filed a certificate of candidacy (COC) to join next year's senatorial race.
In October, the detained KOJC founder filed a certificate of candidacy (COC) to join next year's senatorial race.
The televangelist was transferred to Pasig City Jail in November as he faces trial over the qualified human trafficking and sexual abuse charges filed against him.
The televangelist was transferred to Pasig City Jail in November as he faces trial over the qualified human trafficking and sexual abuse charges filed against him.
MARITIME ROW WITH CHINA
The presence of the China Coast Guard persists despite the effort of the Philippine Coast Guard to block them and assist the four main vessels of the second civilian resupply mission of the Atin Ito Coalition to the Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on May 15, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File
The presence of the China Coast Guard persists despite the effort of the Philippine Coast Guard to block them and assist the four main vessels of the second civilian resupply mission of the Atin Ito Coalition to the Bajo de Masinloc or Panatag Shoal in the West Philippine Sea on May 15, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/FileThis year also marked an escalation in the tension between Manila and Beijing over their dispute in the West Philippine Sea.
This year also marked an escalation in the tension between Manila and Beijing over their dispute in the West Philippine Sea.
On June 17, the Philippines accused the Chinese Coast Guard of hijacking and looting the Philippines' rotation and reprovisioning (RORE) mission, resulting in damage of a vessel and severe injury of a Navy officer, who lost his right thumb.
On June 17, the Philippines accused the Chinese Coast Guard of hijacking and looting the Philippines' rotation and reprovisioning (RORE) mission, resulting in damage of a vessel and severe injury of a Navy officer, who lost his right thumb.
Seaman First Class Jeffrey Facundo of the Philippine Navy lost his right thumb after a CCG vessel rammed a Philippine rubber boat during the said resupply mission in Ayungin shoal.
Seaman First Class Jeffrey Facundo of the Philippine Navy lost his right thumb after a CCG vessel rammed a Philippine rubber boat during the said resupply mission in Ayungin shoal.
During the confrontation, Chinese personnel also allegedly brandished knives other pointed tools to intimidate Filipino forces.
During the confrontation, Chinese personnel also allegedly brandished knives other pointed tools to intimidate Filipino forces.
In December, the Philippine Navy reported that it conducted some 300 maritime sovereignty and surveillance patrols, and about 100 surveillance flights in the West Philippine Sea this year, exceeding its target.
In December, the Philippine Navy reported that it conducted some 300 maritime sovereignty and surveillance patrols, and about 100 surveillance flights in the West Philippine Sea this year, exceeding its target.
Despite the occasional confrontations, Marcos and the military insisted they would not be deploying warships to counter Beijing’s harassment of Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea.
Despite the occasional confrontations, Marcos and the military insisted they would not be deploying warships to counter Beijing’s harassment of Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea.
Ray Powell, a maritime security analyst and former US military official, had said China's actions in the West Philippine Sea could now be classified as a "maritime occupation."
Ray Powell, a maritime security analyst and former US military official, had said China's actions in the West Philippine Sea could now be classified as a "maritime occupation."
RIFT HITS NEW PEAK
Vice President Sara Duterte addresses the media, November 26, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File
Vice President Sara Duterte addresses the media, November 26, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/FileBy the latter part of the year, the conflict between the Dutertes and Marcoses, along with their allies, had escalated.
By the latter part of the year, the conflict between the Dutertes and Marcoses, along with their allies, had escalated.
The Vice President cast doubts on Marcos' competence in October.
The Vice President cast doubts on Marcos' competence in October.
House members meanwhile launched simultaneous investigations against Duterte and her offices, particularly her controversial confidential expenditures.
House members meanwhile launched simultaneous investigations against Duterte and her offices, particularly her controversial confidential expenditures.
They also investigated her father and his war on drugs. The probe's leaders said the International Criminal Court was free to access public records of the inquiry.
They also investigated her father and his war on drugs. The probe's leaders said the International Criminal Court was free to access public records of the inquiry.
The rift reached a new peak on November 23, when Duterte, triggered by the alleged harassment of her staffers, claimed that she had arranged for Marcos, the First Lady, and the House Speaker to be killed should a supposed plan to "kill" her succeed.
The rift reached a new peak on November 23, when Duterte, triggered by the alleged harassment of her staffers, claimed that she had arranged for Marcos, the First Lady, and the House Speaker to be killed should a supposed plan to "kill" her succeed.
She is now being investigated over the alleged threat.
She is now being investigated over the alleged threat.
Duterte also faces three separate impeachment complaints filed before the House of Representatives.
Duterte also faces three separate impeachment complaints filed before the House of Representatives.
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