MARAWI SIEGE
The city center of Marawi, the main battle area during the five-month conflict between government troops and ISIS-inspired extremists, lie in ruins viewed from Lake Lanao. Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News
The southern city of Marawi was reduced to rubble after 5 months of bombings and heavy firefights between government forces and the Islamic State-inspired Maute group - the gravest security problem the Duterte administration has faced by far.
Government saw victory in October 2017, but the end of clashes saw the beginning of a new challenge, with thousands of residents left homeless and much of the city, once a commercial and cultural center in Mindanao, decimated. Rehabilitation efforts are ongoing.
DENGVAXIA SCARE
Parents and relatives of children administered with Dengvaxia vaccine attend a Senate probe on February 21, 2018. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News
A nationwide health scare ensued in November last year after French drug-maker Sanofi Pasteur admitted that its anti-dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia, may cause severe dengue if given to those who have not contracted the mosquito-borne disease.
The Philippines has since suspended its nationwide dengue immunization program under which over 830,000 children were vaccinated. Former President Benigno Aquino III and some former and current health officials are facing charges for initiating the program.
'TOKHANG' RELAUNCH
The Philippine National Police resumes Oplan Tokhang in Quezon City on January 29, 2018 in a new schedule from 8am to 5pm. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
After a nearly four-month hiatus over alleged police abuses, the Philippine National Police in January relaunched its controversial house-to-house anti-drug operation "Oplan Tokhang" with a revamped set of guidelines.
Under the revived program, police are limited to day-time anti-drug operations, deviating from the usual night-time raids that had drawn suspicion of abuses, and police are barred from engaging even hostile suspects.
MARTIAL LAW EXTENSION
Soldiers man a checkpoint going to Marawi on July 11, 2017. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
The Supreme Court in February upheld the year-long extension of martial law in Mindanao, which Duterte initially declared on May 23, 2017, when firefights erupted in Marawi City.
In seeking an extension, Duterte cited remaining security threats in Mindanao following the end of the siege of the Islamic city.
OFW BAN TO KUWAIT
Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) from Kuwait arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila on February 12, 2018. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
President Duterte in February ordered a ban on the deployment of Filipino workers to Kuwait prompted by reported deaths of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) there, including that of Joanna Demafelis, whose body was found in a freezer.
The two nations figured in a diplomatic row two months later when a video showing the rescue of distressed OFWs by Philippine embassy officials went viral online, offending Kuwait for the lack of coordination. This was resolved following talks between the two countries, and a deal on OFW protection was eventually signed.
ROBREDO VS. MARCOS: THE VP VOTE RECOUNT
Former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. and Vice-President Leni Robredo. File/Composite
Following allegations of election fraud, the Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), began on April 2 the vote recount for the 2016 vice-presidential race.
Former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has alleged that "massive cheating" paved the way for Robredo's victory after he lost by some 260,000 votes, the closest in recent memory.
FEDERALISM MOVES FORWARD
Constitutional advisers gather at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) to discuss changes in the constitution for its switch from unitary to federal form of government on February 27, 2018. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
Duterte's consultative committee on charter change began drafting their proposed amendments to the charter to make way for a shift to a federal government.
The draft of the new charter will ready in time for Duterte's 3rd State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July. The two chambers of Congress, meanwhile, have yet to agree on whether to adopt the recommendations of the consultative commission.
FLIP-FLOPPING PEACE NEGOTIATIONS
(From left to right) National Democratic Front's (NDF) Senior adviser, Luis Jalandoni; founder of the Filipino Communist Party and NDF's Chief Political Consultant, Jose Maria Sison; Norwegian Special Envoy, Elisabeth Slattum; Philippines' Presidential Advisers on the Peace Process Jesus G. Dureza and Silvestre H. Bello III take part in a meeting as part of the peace talks between the Government of the Philippines (GRP) and the NDF organised by the Dutch government on April 2, 2017 in the Dutch town of Noordwijk aan Zee. Sophie Mignon, AFP
President Duterte in April this year said he wants to give peace talks with communist rebels "another last chance" following the collapse of negotiations last year. Earlier this month, government said the revival of talks would be delayed, citing the need for further public consultation.
Duterte had suspended negotiations with communists in November last year, citing continued attacks against state troops despite ongoing negotiations.
BORACAY SHUTDOWN
A worker of the Department of Public Works and Highways unearths an underground pipe that was discharging foul-smelling liquid into the sea on Station 2 White Beach in Boracay on on May 1, 2018. Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News
Upon Duterte's orders, government shut down its most popular tourist island on April 26 for unprecedented rehabilitation efforts due to sewage and overcrowding woes.
The island is set to open in October this year, but only establishments compliant with environment and zoning regulations will be allowed to resume.
HELLO, GOODBYE CABINET OFFICIALS
President Duterte greets Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo prior to the start of the 25th Cabinet Meeting at the Malacañan Palace on May 7, 2018. Toto Lozano, Presidential Photo
Nearly a dozen of Duterte's Cabinet apointees have been replaced 2 years into his presidency. Some of them were fired or were forced to resign due to controversies, while others were not confirmed by the Commission on Appointments.
Among officials who have either resigned or were fired due to allegations of corruption and questions on competency were Vitaliano Aguirre II of the justice department, Wanda Tulfo-Teo of the tourism department.
SERENO OUSTER
Ousted Supreme Court Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno emerges from the Supreme Court to meet with her supporters in Manila on May 11, 2018. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
In May, the Philippines saw the ouster of its first female chief justice Maria Lourdes Sereno in a historic grant of a quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida.
The landmark ruling relieved Congress of the burden of completing the impeachment process against Sereno. It also paves the way for Duterte to appoint the country's next top magistrate.
BBL FATE STILL HANGING
President Duterte is welcomed by Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) Chairman Ghadzali Jaafar upon his arrival at the Old Provincial Capital in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao for his attendance to the Bangsamoro Assembly on November 27, 2017. Also in the photo is Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. Albert Alcain, Malacanang Photo
The Senate and the House of Representatives are currently reconciling their respective versions of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which would create a new autonomous region for the Moro people.
Congress earlier said it was eyeing to ratify the bicameral conference committee report on the proposed BBL in the morning of Duterte's 3rd State of the Nation Address in July.
FRIENDLIER TIES WITH CHINA
President Duterte and People's Republic of China President Xi Jinping pose for a photo following a successful bilateral meeting at the Boao State Guesthouse on April 10, 2018. Ace Morandante, Malacanang Photo
As Manila and Beijing enjoyed friendlier ties under the Duterte administration, fishermen from Zambales complained in June of Chinese coast guard personnel taking their catch in the disputed Scarborough Shoal in exchange for cigarettes, noodles, and water.
Duterte downplayed the fishermen's complaint and called it a barter trade. Days later, a Chinese military aircraft landed at the Davao City International Airport, prompting critics to further question the President's ties with China. Government earlier said it has been silently taking diplomatic actions against China's incursions into the country's exclusive economic zone in the disputed South China Sea.
'TAMBAY' CRACKDOWN
More than a hundred loiterers, including minors and foreigners, are rounded up by Dagupan City Police during a citywide campaign to clear up the street of unscrupulous elements as per instruction of President Duterte to the Philippine National Police. ABS-CBN News
President Duterte directed police earlier this month to round up "tambays" or loiterers on the streets, calling them "potential trouble for the public."
Thousands were accosted by the police following the President's order citing violations of local ordinances. Among them was Genesis Argoncillo, who died allegedly after being beaten up inside his detention cell.
