2020 is indeed one hell of a ride for all of us, and as we nearly close this awfully tragic year, we can’t hide our excitement to finish off this darkest chapter of our lives so far in the modern world.

(Read: 2020 has just started, but we want it to end already)

Shocking, nerve-wracking, and a rollercoaster adventure—these are just some words to describe this horrific year. It has been continuously ravaging life as we know it, in all of us, in all aspects—health, environment, education, and politics.

The annual look back of 2020 nightmares might be a pain to many, but with this yearly reminiscing tradition, this can be a clear manifestation that despite all the crises, we managed to pull it off and hang on to survive.

(Read: Editoryal: Mga ‘di malilimutang ‘drama serye’ sa pulitika ngayong 2020!)

Our year won’t be ‘colorful’ without these top newsmakers of the year. Let’s know them.

Most of the country’s controversial news is coming from the field of politics, and all of it earned the ire of the masses and led to widening the gap between the administration and opposition.

DEBOLD SINAS aka THE MAÑANITA CELEBRANT

Despite the clear proof of violation of having a ‘Mañanita’ party amid the on-going strict lockdown in the early months of this year, the fortune favors him again as he was appointed as the new head of PNP by President Rodrigo Duterte on November 9, 2020.

(Read: When’s the Mañanita? Debold Sinas is the new PNP Chief)

It seems like he will be known for his ‘Mañanita’ for a long while as this issue earned backlash from netizens and opposition who sought fair judgment and justice without utilizing any ‘iron hands’ to conceal the truth.

KOKO PIMENTEL AS A QUARANTINE VIOLATOR

Senator Koko Pimentel is one of the top newsmakers of 2020 in the country as he breached quarantine protocols where he was one of the confirmed positive cases then to accompany his wife at Makati Medical during the early days of COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

The disappointment was heightened when there were no sanctions given to the politician but a ‘mercy’ remarks from the President himself. Many have seen it as a manifestation of social disparity between influential personalities and normal Filipino citizens—truly, inhumane.

DOH FRANCISCO DUQUE III COVID-19 MASS HEALINGS

Probably, one of the most controversial newsmakers of the year. Duque’s stint as the PH’s health chief has been incompetent and inconsistent. He was tried to dethrone by some senators who believed that he’s not fully qualified for the job due to his leadership skills.  

(Read: What ‘curve’ has flattened? Netizens slam Health Sec. Duque’s statement about PH’s successful fight against COVID-19)  

His fallacious promulgations with regards to the real situation of COVID-19 virus have been questioned by many which put him under a lot of pressure where all Filipinos’ eyes are staring at him as he strategizes the nation’s next step to fight the virus.

PHILHEATH’S THORSSON MONTES KEITH AND THE BILLION FUNDS

Have you heard about the ‘PhilHealth Mafias’?—the alleged group inside the agency who effortlessly stole Filipino’s contributions. It was dubbed as the “Crime of the year”.

(Read: PhilHealth "Mafia’ and the lost 15 Billion funds: Where did our contributions go?)

Resigned PhilHealth’s anti-fraud legal officer Thorrsson Montes Keith has dropped the bomb while we’re on the verge of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a virtual senate hearing, he confessed that the widespread corruption inside the corporation was made through anomalous transactions and fraudulent schemes.

ALAN CAYETANO VS LORD ALLAN VELASCO: THE SPEAKER BATTLE!

As we simultaneously face all crises at once, political dramas in the Philippines also stole the spotlight. The battle of speakership between Cayetano and Velasco has been one of the talks of the town for a while.

(Read: Speaker Alan or Allan? Netizens feel “meh” about the resignation drama!)

The drama started when political veteran Alan Cayetano dishonor his “gentleman’s agreement” with now-appointed Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.

Cayetano offered his resignation to his colleagues but then rejected it, however, Velasco didn’t buy it as he assumed that whatever Cayetano’s motive was would surely break their promise to each other with President Duterte’s approval.

PRESIDENT DUTERTE AND THE PHILIPPINES IN COVID-19 PANDEMIC

This year, President Rodrigo Duterte has been one of the most controversial newsmakers through his perspectives and stands on different issues.

(Read: EDITORYAL: Kwentong Pinoy Christmasumisyon 2020)

Critics hardly expressed their dismays and disappointments with regards to Duterte’s COVID-19 plans. He often received backlash and rage from the public due to some of his commands.

Some issues and problems where he involved were the Anti-Terror Bill rulings, full military utilization amid the pandemic, killings of activists, natural disasters absence and lack of support, and more.

As the chief executive of the country, it’s no doubt and not a question that he will always be the talk of the town in every single thing he does when the public see it as ‘different’ from what is right and just.

Within the political arena, dramas and controversies are part of politicians’ lives, but this year, it seems like we’ve been watching a comedy show and circus performances from our elected officials while a health crisis is on-going, which is really bad.

These newsmakers are just some of the few issues we’ve watched and heard this year, and as we enter a new year, we are all hoping to get rid of dramas but a major sense of accountability instead.

Bye 2020, hello 2021!