Big names of different personalities made it to the headlines throughout the year. But there are seven names that particularly became the most controversial ones.
In this article, DZRH News Online listed the seven individuals who stirred controversies in 2022.
1. Percy Lapid
The murder of popular radio commentator Percival Mabasa or best known as Percy Lapid has been the headline in all media outlets in the second quarter of 2022.
His death became sensational for it exposed several secrets inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).
Lapid was shot in his vehicle by self-confessed gunman Joel Escorial on Oct. 3, 2022.
Escorial gunned him down while he was entering the Santa Cecilia gate of BF Resort Village in Las Piñas City where he was supposed to film his hard-hitting radio program “Lapid Fire.”
The former radio personality is the 197th Filipino journalist killed since 1986 and the second one to be killed under the Marcos administration.
Lapid is known for his opinions about the pressing issues in the country, including criticisms of some of the officials of the current administration and the previous administration.
As of writing, the case is not yet solved. The preliminary investigation into his murder has not yet begun after it was stalled two times.
2. Gerald Bantag
Suspended BuCor Director General Gerald Bantag is one of the tagged masterminds who allegedly ordered the killing of Lapid and the alleged middleman Cristito ‘Jun’ Villamor.
Bantag was one of the personalities that Percy Lapid heavily criticized in his program. Lapid particularly scrutinized the former BuCor chief's number of cars and properties.
After authorities filed murder raps against Bantag, a series of controversial allegations were thrown against him.
Among the issues that unfolded was the discovery of 200 meters wide and 30 meters deep tunnel inside BuCor which Bantag later claimed he ordered because he said it was intended to be a swimming pool.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla then revealed that the suspended BuCor chief personally told him that he ordered the excavation for treasure hunting.
The next issue that surfaced was Bantag's alleged stabbing incident inside the NBP. Two gang leaders have come out and claimed that the suspended BuCor chief was intoxicated when he stabbed them on the hands and thighs last Feb. 1, 2022, at 11:30 pm.
Possible plunder charges were also thrown against Bantag for allegedly pocketing the funds for the supposed construction and repair of facilities at the NBP. BuCor officer-in-charge Gregorio Catapang recently revealed that Php 1 billion in funds have been released for the facilities but the construction was only 60 percent complete.
3. Boying Remulla
Before he was named as the Justice Secretary, Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla became controversial when he remarked that the attendees of former vice president and presidential aspirant Leni Robredo’s campaign rally were paid or “hakot” crowds.
He also claimed that some of the attendees were students who are activists and trained by the National Democratic Front (NDF) — a coalition of revolutionary organizations.
When Remulla was picked to lead the justice department, some groups questioned his appointment as they claimed that the latter was a “red-tagger.”
Meanwhile, amid the probe in Percy Lapid’s case, news broke out that the DOJ chief’s eldest son Juanito Jose Diaz Remulla III was arrested during anti-illegal drug operations in Las Piñas City.
Social media was abuzz with calls prompting Remulla to resign from his post as many claimed that his duty as the justice chief could affect the process of a fair investigation.
But despite the mounting calls, Remulla firmly stated that he would not resign unless he was removed by President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.
4. Vic Rodriguez
Executive Secretary (ES) Vic Rodriguez became one of the controversial personalities this year following his involvement in the sugar importation fiasco.
The sugar fiasco was about the illegal issuance of Sugar Order No. 4 which allows the import of 300,000 metric tons (MT) of sugar into the country. During the Senate Ribbon Hearing on the matter, Rodriguez admitted that he received the draft of the said order but ignored it because the President has yet to respond regarding it.
After he was cleared of the controversy, the public was surprised when he suddenly tendered his resignation due to family reasons.
He later claimed that although he quit as ES, he would assume the new role of Presidential Chief of Staff. Malacañang then clarified that there were no orders appointing him the said to the position.
Following his resignation, his political party Partido Federal ng Filipinas (PFP) expelled him over “loss of trust,” “disloyalty,” and other “act inimical to the party.”
The group said Rodriguez used his influence as ES to appoint General Manager Christopher Pastrana to the Philippine Ports Authority and he was “clutching at straws” even at the last hour of his voluntary resignation by creating the Office of the Presidential Chief of Staff.
5. Sandro Marcos
The President’s eldest son Ilocos 1st District Rep. and Senior Deputy leader Alexander ‘Sandro’ Marcos also made headlines this year.
He was particularly criticized after a video of him and Cavite 8th District Rep. Aniela Tolentino has gone viral on social media platforms.
In the video, Sandro seemed to be distracting Tolentino when she was making a motion on the floor of the House of Representatives. Netizens raised their eyebrows at this and commented that the 28-year-old Congressman and the Cavite Congresswoman were not taking their job seriously.
In an interview with radio broadcaster Anthony Taberna, Sandro explained that he was just coaching or helping out his colleague on what to say next and not trying to play with her.
Sandro also became the talk of the public when he remarked that the Philippine peso is not weak because it is a weak currency, but because the United States (US) dollar is strong.
Sandro's statement garnered different reactions from netizens and drew public discussion on social media.
6. Leni Robredo
Former vice president and presidential aspirant Leni Robredo were also one of the most-talked political personalities this year.
During the campaign for the 2022 national and local elections, presidential candidates including former Manila City mayor Francisco 'Isko' Moreno Domagoso, Norberto Gonzales, and Ping Lacson had teamed up to press some accusations against Robredo's camp.
According to Moreno, the camp of the former vice president urged them to withdraw from the race, and so he challenged them to deny these accusations.
The former manila mayor then made an appeal to Robredo to just withdraw from the presidential race.
Following the May elections, Robredo was heavily criticized when she met with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Erwin Tulfo to discuss the offered help by her non-government organization, Angat Buhay.
A certain vlogger spread misinformation that the former vice president visited the department without any appointment or notice and that she brought a photographer for the visit.
Several media organizations have fact-checked the claim and stated that the meeting was arranged and not unplanned.
7. Chao Tiao Yumol
Last July, a shooting occurred inside the Ateneo de Manila University that killed three individuals including former Lamitan City mayor Rosita ‘Rose’ Furigay, her aide Victor George Capistrano, and university security guard Jeneven Bandiala. This incident made headlines in all media outlets.
The suspect was identified as Chao Tiao Yumol, 38, a doctor and resident of Lamitan City.
According to a police investigation, Yumol had a personal quarrel with the Furigay family.
Authorities said the Furigay family filed 76 cyber libel cases against the suspect for accusing them of being involved in the illegal drug trade.
In an ambush interview with the media after he was caught, Yumol insisted that the political family are drug lords, and he accused them of being the perpetrators behind the drug cases in Lamitan. However, the legal counsel of the family belied the accusations.
The suspect was charged with three counts of murder and one frustrated murder for the injuries sustained by the slain former Lamitan mayor’s daughter Hannah Rose Marian Furigay. Yumol was also charged with carnapping and illegal possession of firearms.
On August 8, the scheduled arraignment of Yumol's case was postponed in order for him to take a mental health examination. His lawyers claimed that he was exhibiting tell-tale signs of mental disorders.
One month later, he was declared mentally fit to stand trial. Yumol then pleaded not guilty to all the charges filed against him.
As of writing, there are no latest updates on Yumol’s case yet.
