Today, the World’s #1 Source of Research-Based Content, The Daily Top 10, will share with you the top 10 most controversial issues that have taken place in the Philippines in 2022. Our list may help you pick out the most important and recent top 10 issues faced by the Philippines as an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia.
But before that, we thought to share with you briefly some main facts about the Philippines.
What is Controversial about the Philippines?
The Philippines is an island country in Southeast Asia in the Western Pacific Ocean. The country’s profile was controversial for a long time, especially under the 16th President, Rodrigo Duterte. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr succeeded Rodrigo Duterte after a historic election win in May 2022. But, people aren’t satisfied with the country’s profile, and the government faced many protests and controversial issues in 2022. These crucially affect the political and overall future of the Philippines.
Now, let’s explore the Top 10 Most Controversial Issues in the Philippines in 2022:
TOP 10: Safety is in Danger with Kidnapping Cases
As of September 2022, there were already 27 kidnapping cases that occurred in the Philippines, according to Statista. It reflects an increase from the 38 kidnapping cases registered in 2020. The number of kidnapping cases in the country peaked at 85 in 2019.
TOP 9: Increasing Crime Cases
According to Statista, there are about 27.2 thousand crime incidents recorded in the Philippines as of February 2022. About 7,000 of these were reported in the National Capital Region, while over 4,000 incidents were from Region 4-A. Crime incidents include both focus and unfocus crimes.
TOP 8: End Deadly ‘Red-Tagging’ of Activists
The Philippine government should end the “red-tagging” of activists as rebels or supporters of the communist insurgency, Human Rights Watch said, releasing a video about the threatening practice and its impact. According to HRW, the video features a human rights activist, a workers’ rights advocate, and a journalist whom the authorities have red-tagged.
Red-tagging, also known as red-baiting, has been used for decades in the Philippines in the government’s campaign against the communist New People’s Army (NPA), which began in 1969. The government’s counterinsurgency efforts include publicly accusing activists, journalists, politicians, and other organizations of being directly involved in the fighting or supporting the NPA. The Philippine Military has long been responsible for large numbers of extrajudicial killings and torture of alleged communists.
TOP 7: Killing of Journalist Sparks Protests
Radio journalist Percival Mabasa, better known in the Philippines as Percy Lapid, was killed on the outskirts of the country’s capital, Manila. According to AMP, this triggered condemnation from media groups, activists, opposition politicians, and foreign embassies, which described his “brazen” assassination as a blow to press freedom. Protesters organized a march of indignation and vigil on Tuesday evening in Manila.
TOP 6: Fake Lewd Video Scandal
The circulation of an allegedly fake lewd video implicating the daughter of presidential candidate Leni Robredo has kicked up a storm in the campaign of general elections in the Philippines, which has been flooded with aggressive disinformation campaigns.
The video, uploaded on an explicit website on Apr 12, 2022, with the title “Aki Robredo,” shows a man and a woman engaging in sexual activity from a distance. According to La Prensa, after the video went viral, lawyers of Leni Robredo, the incumbent Vice President, said that her daughter had requested the National Bureau of Investigation to probe the footage.
TOP 5: Philippine Sugar Crisis
There has been a noted shortage supply of sugar in the domestic market of the Philippines after a poor harvest for the 2021–2022 crop year. This led to the price increase of the commodity, and there have been suspicions of traders taking advantage of the situation through hoarding.
A plan to import 300,000 MT of sugar was also subject to controversy, leading to the resignation of the Sugar Regulatory Administration officials. Based on Wikipedia, there are suspicions that the crisis is caused by hoarding.
TOP 4: The Scandal of Online Sexual Abuse of Filipino Children
A study discovered that among Filipino children between the ages of 12 and 17, one in every five had suffered sexual abuse over the internet. That is an estimated 2 million abused Filipino children in total, according to UCA News.
Philippine authorities do not see child abuse or human trafficking as a serious problem, which led to controversy. Still, for many, it is a revenue-generating business, illegal as it is, where young minors are the star attraction. That historical policy is what devastated Philippine morality, and the silence and inaction of the institutional Church allowed it to happen.
TOP 3: Marcos Movie
The Marcos movie generates crowds and controversy in the Philippines according to Ground News. “Maid in Malacañang” is a film about the last three days of the power of Ferdinand Marcos. The late autocrat’s 20-year reign was notorious for corruption and human rights abuses. Amid the turmoil, democracy icon Corazon Aquino plays mahjong with nuns.
TOP 2: Rodrigo Duterte
Philippine’s former and controversial President Rodrigo Duterte had been actively meeting supporters and unveiled infrastructure projects ahead of the end of his term on June 30. But his government also continued to clamp down on critics and activists, reflecting the strongman tactics of his controversial six-year presidency.
The Diplomat reported that, in Tarlac province, the police arrested 83 individuals who were peacefully supporting agrarian reform beneficiaries in a farm estate linked to a local official. During the same week, the country’s police chief warned that rallies would be dispersed if they came near the oath-taking of incoming President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on June 30, 2022. He added that only pro-government assemblies will be allowed during the inauguration. His statements drew flak from human rights advocates and were controversial across the Philippines.
TOP 1: Protesters Take to Streets As Marcos Jr. Wins Philippine Presidency
Nearly 1,000 people protested against the landslide victory of Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the son, and namesake of the late Philippine dictator, in the country’s presidential election held the previous day. According to Kyodo News, Marcos Jr., the 64-year-old former senator, won 30.9 million votes in the race against opposition and democracy icon Vice President Leni Robredo, 57, who garnered 14.7 million votes with 97.8 percent of the ballots counted, according to election returns.
In addition, BBC reported, Riot police pushed back a group of protesters who gathered outside the election commission headquarters in Manila. More than 100 students marched nearly two miles in protest in the city of Angeles, while 200 others convened outside the election commission’s office in the city of Baguio.
What are the Most Controversial Issues in the Philippines?
The current president of the Philippines, 64-year-old Mr. Marcos Jr, who is widely popular among young Filipinos, has faced accusations of attempting to whitewash his father’s regime by citing economic growth and minimizing its human rights abuses. He has also argued that he was too young to bear responsibility for the crimes of the time.
Here is the recap of the Top 10 Most Controversial Issues in the Philippines in 2022:
- Protesters Take to Streets As Marcos Jr. Wins Philippine Presidency
- Rodrigo Duterte
- Marcos Movie
- The Scandal of Online Sexual Abuse of Filipino Children
- Philippine Sugar Crisis
- Fake Lewd Video Scandal
- Killing of Journalist Sparks Protests
- End Deadly ‘Red-Tagging’ of Activists
- Increasing Crime Cases
- Safety is in Dangeinth Kidnapping Cases
Whatever country you belong to, it’s important to know the latest controversial issues. This reflects a country’s reputation as well as its strengths and weaknesses. So, the above are the most important controversial issues faced by the Philippines in 2022. We are also happy to share with you the Top 10 Most Controversial issues faced by the Philippines in 2020. And don’t forget to subscribe to our Newsletter for the daily dose of our research-based content.
WATCH: Top 10 Most Controversial Issues in the Philippines in 2022
Author: Fahad M.
Fahad M. is approachable and energetic about resolving SEO and content-related issues. He is customer-focused and always has the big picture in mind. He is also extremely creative and eager to assist wherever and whenever possible.
Top 10 Most Affordable Places to Visit in Germany (Updated)
Top 10 Best & Highest-Paying In-demand Jobs in New Zealand (Updated)
Top 10 Best and Highest Paying In-demand Jobs in Germany (Updated)
Top 10 Best Health Insurance Companies in the UK (Updated)
Top 10 Best Outdoor Activities in Pakistan (Updated)
Top 10 Most Popular Cheese Recipes in Australia (Updated)