Navigating a year of trials and triumphs

2024 was a vivid tapestry of political, social, environmental and national security developments. Each thread was woven with its own challenges and achievements. On the one hand, I felt a deep sense of elation as I celebrated the transformative efforts of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) government and its development partners, as well as the inspiring contributions of the adolescents driving progress in the region. On the other hand, my optimism was tempered by the devastating impacts of El Niño and successive typhoons, which ravaged vegetation and caused widespread flooding, particularly in Bicol and other areas.

The year also brought concerns about the political landscape, marked by the contentious persecution of Vice President Sara Duterte and her family by Congress and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration — actions that seemed to aim at undermining her potential candidacy as president in 2028. Adding to these were pressing national security issues, including simmering tensions in the South China Sea, the government's strategic purchase of arms and the looming threat of a conflict that could escalate into a war with China. The fraught budgetary processes in Congress and allegations of corruption further highlighted systemic tensions. But amid these challenges, these events served as a crucial public education on the intricate workings of governance, the dynamics between the nation's legislative and executive branches, and the strategic balancing act of protecting national interests.

VIEW FROM THE SOUTH