BACK SIGHT 2019: Philippines’ NEWS AND MAKERS that made the headlines  in 2019.

The ongoing series of demonstrations in Hong Kong was triggered by the introduction of the Fugitive Offenders amendment bill meant to allow the extradition of criminal fugitives who are wanted in territories which Hong Kong does have current extradition agreements, including Taiwan and Mainland China. The Hong Kong government was forced to withdraw the bill in September after the protests grew more intense and violent. It remains to be seen when the protests will end.

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Philippine midterm elections

Allies of President Duterte dominated the 2019 midterm elections indicating that majority of Filipinos want stability and continuity in the government. Moreover, it dominated the Senate by winning all the 12 slots despite fielding candidates who were not known as intellectuals in their own fields. It was the same in the House of Representatives as Duterte allies swept the opposition. Furthermore, it catapulted into fame Duterte allies such as former police chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and former presidential aide Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go.

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Cotabato triple earthquakes

Cotabato province was hit by three powerful earthquakes in October 2019. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck the city on October 16 where the epicenter was 22 kilometers southeast of Tulunan and had an intensity 7 magnitude.

On October 29, the local seismological agency reported 6.6 magnitude earthquake hit Cotabato for the second time where the towns of Tulunan, Makilala, Kidapawan City, Digos City, and Malungon were affected causing power outages in several parts of Mindanao.

On October 31, a 6.5 magnitude earthquake shook Cotabato for the third time. Reports said some structures in Davao and Socsargen experienced heavy damage. Data gathered indicated total number of casualties of the October 29 and 31 quakes reached 24, with 563 people injured and 11 missing.

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Huawei US ban

Chinese telecom giant Huawei is putting up a brave front against China’s trade with the United States. Moreover, it will sue Washington over attempts to blacklist the company from working US companies. The result of fierce trade was resulted in blocking Huawei from trading goods and services with American tech companies such as Google after the Americans raised some security concerns.

Huawei is also in hot water for detaining one of its employees in China after he demanded severance pay.

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Former Police Chief Oscar Albayalde

Unlike the others before him, former police chief Oscar Albyalde retired quietly after serving the Philippine National Police for 37years by skipping the traditional full-dress parade and review.

A few days after retirement, Albayalde’s name was dragged into the “ninja cops” controversy in which he was accused either of negligence or connivance. In November 2013, 13 cops under Albayalde as Pampanga police chief stole a huge portion of a stash of crystal meth they recovered in a raid, received a bribe from the suspect and instead arrested a fall guy.

In a Senate hearing in in 2016, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director-General Aaron Aquino said Albayalde called him and allegedly asked him to hold off their impending dismissal.

Although Albayalde is facing a criminal complaint filed by the PNP, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año revealed no administrative case was filed against Albayalde after he didn’t find any hard evidence.

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Vice President Leni Robredo

Vice President Leni Robredo continues to lead the opposition notwithstanding the challenges she and her colleagues posed by the administration. Apparently piqued by her criticism against the war on drugs of the government, she was asked by President Rodrigo Duterte to serve as co-chair of an intra-agency committee against illegal drugs. After a few weeks, the president fired her, saying he did not trust Robredo.

Despite the sacking, Robredo and her staff continued with their humanitarian work. The Office of the Vice President extended aid to the residents of Albay and Sorsogon who were severely hit by Typhoon Tisoy. Under its Angat Buhay program, Robredo’s office provided a total of P4.58 million worth of assistance to five coastal communities in the said provinces.

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Former Calauan Mayor Antonio Sanchez

Convicted rapist and murderer Antonio Sanchez, the former mayor of Calauan, Laguna, nearly became a free man through his plea for executive clemency. However, after a public outcry, his application was held back due to some technicalities. His plea for executive clemency has been rejected, while his release on good conduct was held back amid questions on his eligibility and public uproar.

Ma. Clara Sarmenta, mother of Eileen, the student who was raped and murdered by Sanchez, said the “pain came back” when she learned Sanchez was seeking a release.

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US President Donald Trump

Since he was elected as the 45th president of the United States, he has generated a lot of controversy, antagonized a lot of people and always got entangled with several countries around the world. He blamed the immigrants as part of the problem faced by the United States. He has been engaged in a protracted trade war with China without a solution in sight Trump is facing an impeachment inquiry for withholding military aid to Ukraine to pressure Ukrainian Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son Hunter. Moreover, Trump also wanted to develop a conspiracy theory that Ukraine, not Russia, meddled in the 2016 presidential election.

Note: This list was compiled and reviewed prior to the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

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