Top issues and

controversies under
Duterte

NEWSMAKER PRESIDENT. President Rodrigo Duterte has been the driving force behind many of the
country's biggest news stories. In this file photo the President is shown presiding over the 13th Cabinet
Meeting on March 6, 2017. Malacanang photo

MANILA, Philippines – When longtime Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte became the
16th president of the Philippines, he made a vow: change was coming.

In a country still plagued by corruption and a serious drug problem, things would be
different.

While massively popular and backed by 16 million Filipinos who voted him to power,
Duterte has been amassing critics from Day 1. Among their chief complaints: Duterte's
hardline stance against drugs and criminality, his apparent disdain and flippant
disregard for human rights, his brash manner of speaking that spared no one, and his
new alliances with China and Russia at the expense of long-time ally, the United States.

Even before he assumed the presidency, he had already caused a stir when he
attacked two institutions: the media and the Catholic Church. In May, he accused the
Church of hypocrisy, and said corrupt journalists were legitimate targets of
assassination.

In his first year in office, Duterte has been a constant newsmaker, stirring controversy
with his statements that required back-and-forth clarifications from his aides. He was the
driving force behind the many other newsworthy events that happened under his watch:
the jailing of Senator Leila de Lima, the hero’s burial for the dictator Ferdinand Marcos,
and – the most defining achievement of his administration so far – the alarming body
count in his bloody war against drugs.

His first year term was also marked by shake-ups in power dynamics in Philippine
politics, and the threat of terrorism looming over the country.
Rappler looks back at the issues and controversies that dominated each month of the
Philippines’ first year under the Duterte presidency.

JUNE 2016

THE PRESIDENT AND HIS CHILDREN. President Rodrigo Duterte heads to the Palace Rizal Hall for his
oath taking, flanked by his children. Photo from EDP-Malacanang

Duterte is sworn in as president the afternoon of June 30. Only a few hours after taking
oath, he issues a warning to drug addicts that had become the all-too-familiar promise
throughout the campaign season.

Like in previous occasions, Duterte warns Filipinos to stop using drugs or face death. In
a previous speech, he told communities to be on the lookout for drug use in their
respective communities. He says that they can even make the arrest themselves – and,
should the suspect resist or fight, it would be acceptable to kill.
His speech at the Delpan Sports Complex echoes a similar vein.

“’Yung mga adik ho diyan, kayo na lang ho ang pumatay. Kung anak niya, ikaw ang
pumatay. Kung anak niyang adik, kayo ang pumatay para hindi masyadong masakit,”
he says. (If someone’s child is an addict, be the one to kill them, so it won’t be so painful
to their parents.)

The President has made several of these such statements over the months, although
he would then clarify that it should only be done if the suspects resist arrest.
(READ: Shoot to kill? Duterte's statements on killing drug users)

JULY 2016

DRUG KILLINGS. Police identify a body of an alledged drug suspect killed in a shoot out in Brgy. 105
Tondo, Manila on July 21, 2016. Photo by LeAnne Jazul/Rappler

In the first month of the government’s anti-drug war, at least 65,000 people suspected
drug users and pushers surrender to the police, as the body count in the
crackdown starts to climb. Many have already been killed in police operations and
vigilante killingswhile only one drug lord has been killed. While many support the anti-
drug campaign, others remain skeptical as to whether or not the crackdown targets only
the poor.

As the body count rises, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) expresses alarm
and calls for an investigation. The ICJ would be just one of several other international
organizations to condemn the government’s war against drugs.

In the Senate, vocal Duterte critic Senator Leila de Lima files a resolution to initiate a
probe into the spate of drug-related killings.

In the Cabinet, the President finally offers Vice President Leni Robredo a Cabinet post,
after delaying giving her an appointment because of his friendship with losing vice
presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Meanwhile, former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is acquitted of plunder after

nearly 4 years of hospital arrest.

AUGUST 2016
DRUG LIST. 32 police officer.s who were named by President Rodrigo Duterte as illegal drug protectors
turn themselves in for investigation and drug test at Camp Crame. Photo by Joel Liporada/Rappler

After nearly two months after his last press conference with private media, the President
ends his media boycott and takes questions from reporters.

In response to De Lima’s bid to probe the spate of drug-related killings, Duterte’s allies
in the House of Representatives file a resolution to investigate the alleged proliferation
of drugs in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) back when De Lima was justice secretary.

This would kick off the public trial of the neophyte lady senator: the House would hold
several hearings not only on the alleged drug use in NBP, but also on De Lima’s private
life and affair with her former bodyguard and driver. The House hearings would later
culminate in the senator’s arrest and detention.

In the same month, Duterte releases a matrix of the drug prison trade, which allegedly
involves De Lima, former Pangasinan governor and current Pangasinan 5th District
Representative Amado Espino Jr, Pangasinan Provincial Administrator Raffy Baraan,
and general Franklin Bucayu, among others.

Duterte also names 158 individuals from the judiciary, local government, military, and
the police who are allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade – either as protectors,
users, or drug lords.

Fact-checking by Rappler shows, however, that there are several errors and
inconsistencies in the drug lists released by the President, despite his claims of
extensive vetting.

After UN experts criticize the war on drugs, Duterte challenges them to a debate and
even threatens to leave the UN. He later clarifies that it was just a joke.

Meanwhile, the Duterte government resumes peace talks with communist rebels, aimed
at ending one of the longest-running insurgencies in the world.

SEPTEMBER 2016
DAVAO BLAST. An explosion rips through a night market in Davao City on September 2, 2016. Photo by
Manman Dejeto/Rappler

On September 2, an explosion rips through a night market in Davao City, Duterte’s own
hometown. The bombing is later blamed on members of local terrorists, the Maute
Group.

The incident prompts Duterte to declare a state of lawlessness in the country, which
remains in effect 9 months later.

In early September, Duterte makes his first foreign trip as head of state, attending the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Laos.

But before leaving for his first international summit, Duterte quickly makes international
headlines when he slams then-US president Barack Obama, warning the US leader not
to criticize him on human rights issues brought about by the Philippines’ controversial
drug war.
His rant against Obama – where he uses the phrase “son of a whore” in Filipino – is
reported by some groups as being a reference to the US president. (READ: How media
groups wrote about Duterte’s rant vs Obama)

Meanwhile in the House of Representatives, Duterte critic De Lima faces an

investigation on the alleged drug trade in the NBP, but she refuses to attend, calling it a
“sham inquiry” and a mere ploy to discredit her.

In the second House investigation, De Lima is accused of using drug money to raise
funds for her senatorial bid in the 2016 elections.

In the Senate’s probe on extrajudicial killings related to the drug war, De Lima
presents Edgar Matobato, a self-confessed hitman and member of the so-called Davao
Death Squad. Matobato testifies that Duterte ordered the group to execute people back
when he was Davao City mayor.

At the end of the month, Duterte again stirs up international reactions when he draws
parallels between his drug war and the annihilation of 3 million Jews during the
Holocaust. Duterte also says he was being portrayed as a “cousin” of Nazi leader Adolf
Hitler.

OCTOBER 2016
CHINA VISIT. President Rodrigo Duterte is accompanied by China President Xi Jinping during his arrival
at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China on October 20, 2016. Malacanang photo

Duterte visits China to strengthen diplomatic ties between the two countries amid
tensions in disputed South China Sea territories.

During a trade and investment forum in Beijing, Duterte announces the

Philippines’ separation from the United States and his decision to move closer to China,
although the US embassy reports that no formal request was made to sever Philippine-
US ties. Duterte’s Cabinet members later clarify the President’s statements, and Duterte
himself says two days later he was not cutting ties with the US.

Around mid-October, the President signs an administrative order creating a presidential

task force to probe media killings. This comes several months after he was criticized for
remarks he made as president-elect, when he justified the killing of corrupt members of
the media.

He also resumes his word war with the Catholic Church, cursing bishops and
priestswho criticized his war against drugs. Duterte has been at odds with the religious
institution even before he assumed the presidency.
Senator De Lima continues to face House probes. Leaders of different gangs inside the
New Bilibid Prison claim De Lima allegedly received drug money payoffs to fund her
senatorial bid. She also faces scrutiny of her relationship with her driver and alleged
bagman Ronnie Dayan.

On October 19, police clash with protesters outside the US embassy in Manila. Several
protesters, mostly indigenous peoples protesting alleged military and US presence in
their ancestral lands, are injured after a van repeatedly runs over the rallyists.

NOVEMBER 2016

NOT A HERO. Protesters gather in different parts of the country to oppose the burial of dictator Ferdinand
Marcos at the heroes' cemetery. Photo by Martin San Diego/Rappler

On November 5, Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr – who has alleged links to the
drug trade – is killed inside his jail cell in a reported shootout with personnel from the
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
On November 8, the Supreme Court issues its verdict that paves the way for a Duterte
campaign promise: the burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng
mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery).

Just days later, Marcos is buried with full military honors at the Heroes’ Cemetery, in a
move that catches many by surprise.

The sudden burial of Marcos – “like a thief in the night,” as critics called it – sparks
outrage, especially among those who suffered human rights abuses under the Marcos
regime. Thousands of protesters, mostly the youth, stage protests nationwide, which
would last until November 30.

Meanwhile, the Philippine peso drops to an almost 8-year low against the US dollar.

In mid-November, Duterte's allies downplay the President's earlier statements that he

was "tempted" to declare martial law to solve the drug problem in the country.

The Judicial and Bar Council also holds public interviews for candidates vying for the
seats of two retiring Supreme Court justices.

DECEMBER 2016
ROBREDO. Philippines Vice President Leni Robredo gestures during a press conference in Manila on
December 5, 2016. Photo by Noel Celis/AFP

On December 6, the National Bureau of Investigation says the death of Albuera Mayor
Espinosa was a "rubout" and recommends criminal charges against the CIDG
operatives involved.

Five months since the President offered Robredo a Cabinet post through a phone call,
the Vice President resigns from the Duterte Cabinet.

Robredo announces her resignation from her post as housing chair after she receives a
text message from Cabinet Secretary Jun Evasco Jr, “to desist from attending all
Cabinet meetings starting December 5.”

Meanwhile, a bill for the reimposition of the death penalty hurdles the House committee
level. In response, the United Nations warns that the Philippines will violate international
law if it reintroduces capital punishment.

Duterte also revives concern about his health, after he admits that he used to take
fentanyl, a powerful painkiller often prescribed for cancer pain and other chronic
ailments, because of a spinal injury from previous motorcycle accidents.

On Christmas Eve, an explosion outside a church in Midsayap, Cotabato injures at least

13 people. Duterte links the bombing, as well as the September blast in Davao City, to
the international terror group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

A survey also shows that most Filipinos are worried about becoming the next victims of
the drug war, and that the issue of extrajudicial killings in the country is a serious issue.

JANUARY 2017
SLAY CASE. Choi Kyung Jin, wife of slain South Korean businessman Jee Ick-Joo, breaks down as she
listens to the testimony on how her husband was killed during the Senate inquiry on various incidents of
kidnap for ransom perpetrated by policemen. Photo by Cesar Tomambo/Senate PRIB

The public image of the Philippine National Police (PNP) takes a beating after news
surfaces that a Korean businessman, Jee Ick Joo, had been strangled to death in
October 2016 at the hands of policemen inside Camp Crame, the police headquarters in
Manila.

The Duterte administration apologizes over the incident and promises justice for Jee.
The PNP, having long been under fire for its efforts to eradicate the drug problem, is
further scrutinized after this incident. In light of this, the government suspends its anti-
drug war on January 30.

On January 26, the first petition against the PNP’s Oplan TokHang campaign is filed
before the Supreme Court (SC), seeking protection for the families of victims killed in
the anti-drug operations. Several days later, the SC issues a writ of amparo for the
victims’ families.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines vows to crush local terror groups,
particularly the Abu Sayyaf and the Maute Group, within 6 months.

At around this time, pro-Duterte bloggers draw internet buzz over “Leni Leaks" or the
supposed leak of online messages about Robredo’s supporters supposedly planning
propaganda against Duterte.

The Philippines also hosts the Miss Universe pageant, won by France's Iris Mittenaere.

FEBRUARY 2017
ARRESTED. Senator Leila de Lima is arrested after the Department of Justice filed charges against her
for allegedly receiving drug money from convicts. Photo by Alecs Ongcal/Rappler

Duterte scraps peace talks with communist rebels, blaming the rebels for the collapse of
the negotiations after they supposedly violate the ceasefire agreement.

In the mining sector, the industry is shaken up after environment secretary Gina Lopez
announces the closure of 23 mining operations. Duterte, who has expressed support for
Lopez, says there was nothing he could do about the closures.

After several months of controversies, De Lima is ordered arrested, days after the
Department of Justice files charges against her for allegedly receiving drug money from
convicts. Her former driver Ronnie Dayan is also arrested.

Following her arrest, the Senate strips 3 Liberal Party (LP) senators and their ally of
committee chairmanships, prompting the LP senators to shift to the minority bloc.

On February 20, retired Davao policeman Arturo Lascañas appears at a press

conference to corroborate earlier claims by Matobato on Duterte’s involvement in the
so-called Davao Death Squad.

On February 27, the Abu Sayyaf beheads a German national, the 3rd foreigner to be
beheaded by the local terror group in the last 10 months.

MARCH 2017
IMPEACHMENT COMPLAINT. Rep. Gary Alejano of the Magdalo Party-list group announces the filing of
an impeachment complaint against President Rodrigo Duterte on March 16, 2016. Photo by Ben
Nabong/Rappler

Two months after it was suspended, the PNP relaunches its war on drugs, vowing to
make it “less bloody, if not bloodless.”

Despite fierce criticism, especially from the Catholic Church, the House of
Representatives approves on 3rd and final reading the controversial death penalty bill,
which would punish drug-related crimes with either life imprisonment or death.

The Commission on Appointments rejects the appointment of Perfecto Yasay Jr, then
the foreign affairs secretary, over questions on his citizenship. Rappler earlier reports|
that Yasay had lied under oath and had owned a US passport, despite his denials.

Meanwhile, European lawmakers call for the release of De Lima, urging the government
to ensure a fair trial and to drop politically motivated charges against her.
Robredo also faces a storm of criticism, after she sends a video message to a UN
meeting side event where she mentions the rising body count in the Philippines’ drug
war.

A group calling themselves the "Impeach Leni" movement prepares an impeachment

complaint against the Vice President, accusing Robredo of peddling lies.

This comes after an impeachment complaint is also filed against Duterte, alleging that
he culpably violated the Constitution, engaged in bribery, betrayed the public trust,
committed graft and corruption and other high crimes.

APRIL 2017

MOST INFLUENTIAL. President Rodrigo Duterte and his fiercest critic, Senator Leila de Lima, are
featured on the TIME list of The 100 Most Influential People in the world.

On April 11, at least 10 people are killed after government forces foil an attack by the
Abu Sayyaf group in Bohol.

As of mid-April, over 7,000 Filipinos have been killed in the anti-drug war. The death toll
includes both the people killed during police operations and vigilante-style killings.
The Philippines also hosts the 30th ASEAN Summit and related meetings.

Duterte and his fiercest critic, Senator De Lima, are featured on the TIME list of the 100
Most Influential People in the world. Duterte's write-up is written by former Colombian
president César Gaviria, while De Lima’s write-up is written by former United States
ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power.

On April 24, Filipino lawyer Jude Sabio files a complaint against Duterte and several
senior government officials before the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged
"mass murder" in the Philippines.

The Supreme Court moves forward with the electoral protest filed by losing vice
presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr against Robredo.

Also in April, the issue of idle government housing comes to light following the takeover
by members of urban poor group Kadamay of vacant housing units in Pandi, Bulacan.

Meanwhile, a survey sees Duterte’s trust rating dip. While he gains more approval and
trust from well-to-do Filipinos, the President appears to be losing trust among the
poorest.

MAY 2017
MARAWI CLASH. Goverment troops prepare to assault the Maute group in Marawi City on May 25, 2017.
Photo by Bobby Lagsa/Rappler

The Court of Appeals acquits alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napolesin
the illegal detention case against her, reversing the 2015 conviction of a Makati court.

In one day, the House justice committee junks the first impeachment complaint filed
against Duterte, finding it sufficient in form but insufficient in substance.

In Malacañang, Duterte appoints longtime supporter Mocha Uson as Palace

communications assistant secretary, saying it was payment for a debt of gratitude for
the popular blogger’s support during the campaign. The move draws divided
reactionson social media.

The Duterte administration defends its anti-drug war and human rights record before the
UN. The Philippine delegation argues that illegal drug use has been a longtime problem
in the Philippines and needs to be urgently addressed through the drug war. Although
they acknowledge that human rights violations may have resulted from the summary
executions, they maintain that these are not state-sponsored.
Amid the Philippines’ friendlier ties with China, Duterte says Chinese President Xi
Jinping warned him China would go to war if the Philippines "forces the issue" of the
arbitral ruling on the South Sea China. Several senators question Duterte’s tolerance of
China’s war threat, while SC senior associate justice Antonio Carpio says the
Philippines can sue China for making such a threat.

Meanwhile, Duterte goes to Russia for an official visit, to speak with his “idol” Russian
President Vladimir Putin.

But this is cut short when clashes erupt between government forces and the Maute
terror group on May 23 – raging gun battles that later lead to Duterte declaring martial
law in Mindanao.

A day later, Duterte says he is considering expanding the declaration of martial law to
cover the entire Philippines if needed, citing the threat of terrorism.

JUNE 2017
RESORTS WORLD SHOOTING. Police respond to reports that a lone gunman opens fire and sets
gaming tables ablaze at Resorts World Manila in Pasay City on June 2, 2017. Photo by Ezra
Arcayan/Rappler

On June 2, Metro Manila is rocked by an attack in a posh entertainment complex, after

a lone gunman storms Resorts World Manila in Pasay City and sets gaming tables on
fire. The incident sparks fears of terrorism, which the police quickly debunk, saying it
was a case of robbery.

Thirty-eight individuals, including the gunman, die in the incident. The management of
Resorts World are now facing congressional probes over the incident.

As Duterte nears the end of his first year in office, challenges arise over his declaration
of martial law. The Supreme Court begins 3-day oral arguments on the martial law
declaration, with petitioners saying there was no basis to declare martial rule on the
grounds of invasion or rebellion.

Meanwhile, fighting continues to rage in Marawi City as government forces clash with
the Maute Group. The death toll has risen to close to 400 after a month of fighting.

Questions on the President’s health also resurface, after he skips Independence Day
rites in Luneta – his first independence day celebration as President.

Citing exhaustion, Duterte goes missing from the public eye for 5 days to rest. On June
17, the President makes his first public appearance when he visits Agusan del Norte.

His absence fuels speculations about his health, with at least 3 senators demanding full
disclosure of the President’s health.

To quell rumors that the President is sick, Malacañang releases photos of a working
Duterte on June 15.

Meanwhile, two major Philippine banks suffer glitches. The Bank of the Islands suffers a
system glitch that causes mispostings in its clients’ accounts, prompting the bank to
suspend access to its electronic channels to rectify the error.

BDO Unibank also says it received reports of “potentially compromised” automated

teller machines after customers complained of unauthorized transactions.

The Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), orders
the creation of a panel to preside over the Marcos-Robredo electoral case.
As fighting continues in Marawi, members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters
launch an attack in North Cotabato's Pigcawayan town, occupying a school and using
civilians as human shields. The military later rescues the hostages.

Meanwhile, after 3 long years, the plunder trial for the multi-billion-peso pork barrel
scam finally begins. – with research by Ishbelle Bongato/Rappler.com

Ishbelle Bongato is a Rappler intern

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PHILIPPINES

De Lima: I’m preparing for

a more difficult 2018
'I expect to hear lies and more lies,' says Senator Leila de Lima on what she says she
would hear from state witnesses in the courtroom

Lian Buan
@lianbuan
Published 3:06 PM, January 06, 2018
Updated 3:15 PM, January 06, 2018
DETAINED. Senator Leila de Lima's police escorts have been more strict in her public appearances.
Some escorts block the view of cameras on January 5, 2018, as De Lima attends her hearing at the
Quezon City Metropolitan Trial Court. Photo by Darren Langit/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – As early as now, detained Senator Leila de Lima is already

preparing for a more difficult year ahead.

The senator has appealed the Supreme Court (SC) ruling that denied her plea to nullify
the Muntinlupa court’s issuance of an arrest warrant against her, but De Lima said she
was preparing for the consequences if her petition would be denied.

“It will be physically and emotionally taxing because I intend to personally attend the
hearings,” De Lima said in a statement released on Saturday, January 6.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is amending its information in the 3 counts of drug
trade they filed against the senator before the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC).
The DOJ is heeding the advice of the SC to fix an information criticized as being
insufficient.

Once the trial begins, De Lima said she would need to control her emotions in the
courtroom, particularly when the state's witnesses take the stand.

“It will be tough and difficult to repeatedly listen to perjured testimonies during those
hearings. That’s why as early as now, I should be able to psyche myself up to control
my emotion when listening to lies because I expect to hear lies and more lies,” De Lima
said.

De Lima began her 2018 court battle with a hearing on Friday, January 5, at the Quezon
City Metropolitan Trial Court, for the disobedience to summons case filed against her by
House lawmakers. This stemmed from supposedly discouraging her former bodyguard
and boyfriend, Ronnie Dayan, to attend a congressional inquiry in 2016.
House justice committee chairman Reynaldo Umali said he would have never filed the
case against his sorority sister had De Lima apologized. The Oriental Mindoro 2nd
District representative said the case was meant to restore respect to the House of
Representatives.

De Lima, a fierce critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, has been detained at the
Philippine National Police Custodial Center since late February 2017. – Rappler.com
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