The top 10 biggest news in 2012

Before we finally bid adieu to this quite eventful year of 2012, let us take one final look at the biggest events that shaped our history as a nation this year, and affected immensely our lives and struggles as a people. It has been quite a turbulent year, politically and socially and indeed, stormy and earthshaking, if you will, with its storms, earthquakes and floods, which caused thousands of deaths and billions of losses and devastation.

We’ve had our ups and downs, but true to our birthmark of resiliency, we glided and surfed over the waves and thunderstorms of history’s many “outrageous fortunes.”

Perhaps the most far-reaching political event in 2012 was the historic impeachment of Chief Justice Renato C. Corona. That national episode caught the attention of all sectors in our society. It educated many of our people on many issues in the administration of justice. His conviction by the Senate on May 29, 2012 sent a very strong message to the whole nation and to the world that, indeed, one “cannot fool all the people, all the time.’’ The second important event was the arrest and detention of former President, and incumbent Representative GMA, for charges of election sabotage and plunder, punishable by life sentence, upon conviction. President Aquino is, in effect, telling the nation, that justice is really for all. Even the most powerful may fall.

Third, among the biggest events this year is Typhoon Pablo. The extent of damage that it brought our country is beyond pecuniary estimation. Much more than the thousand or so of lives lost and hundreds more missing, not to mention the billion in losses to properties and livelihoods, is the immeasurable anguish and pain inflicted upon our poor people in Mindanao and the Visayas, at a time when we should all be focusing by now, on preparations for Christmas. Fourth, for us Cebuanos, regardless of political affiliations, the suspension of the first and only  female  Cebu  Governor Gwen Garcia is unprecedented in the history of our province. Whether we are for or against her, this is an event that adds color to our politics. This is an unfinished story and a lot of things can happen from here on.

The fifth big event in 2012 was the tragic demise of Secretary Jess Robredo. Although in life, he was unheralded and less appreciated, he became an instant hero after he died. This too is an unfinished story since his wife, Atty. Leni Robredo, will definitely make waves in her own political struggles against the strong Villafuerte political dynasty in Naga City. The sixth big event was the historic signing of a peace accord with the MILF, with a landmark covenant on the creation of a “sui generis’’ Bangsa Moro autonomous region, thereby abrogating the ARMM. Our chief negotiator was rewarded with a Supreme Court appointment immediately thereafter. That by itself is the seventh big story, along with the choice of the first female Chief Justice, Ma. Lourdes Sereno.

The number eight is the passage of the much controversial RH Bill, over the strong objection of the Catholic Church, and after many acrimonious debates that severed long-time relationships, including that of the Senate President, JPE, and the feisty gentle lady from Iloilo, the Lady Miriam. This piece of legislation can even trigger a Senate leadership coup d’etat early next year. Number nine is the Philippine’s daring stance against the bullying of China, relative to Scarborough and the Spratlys. By diplomatic or political struggles, it could not be said that even as we are too small, in the eyes of China, we never run away from our duty to defend every inch of our territory.

The tenth is the Pacquiao/Donaire/Tugonon standing in international competitions. Yes, our Pambansang Kamao lost to Timothy Bradly in June and to Juan Manuel Marquez this month. But our own Nonito Donaire picked up our flag and redeemed our honor against another Mexican, Jorge Arce. And to cap it all our Janine Tugonon really won the Miss Universe crown in Las Vegas, if not for a hometown decision in a nation that badly needed that victory, after a devastating massacre of kids in Connecticut. This and many more made 2012 a year that will never be duplicated in the near future. The world did not end on December 21, contrary to the Mayan prediction. It is still a long way. It seems that we, Filipinos have just begun. Another eventful year ahead of us. Let’s keep the fire burning.