On 11 March, authorities in the Philippines acting on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrested former President Rodrigo Duterte in Manila. Duterte faces charges of crimes against humanity related to the extrajudicial killings that occurred during his ‘war on drugs’ campaign between 2011 and 2019. Human rights experts have welcomed the arrest as a landmark step toward justice and in addressing the impunity surrounding drug-related killings. The ICC is scheduled to hold a confirmation of charges hearing on 23 September2025. Although Duterte had withdrawn the Philippines from the ICC in 2019, the ICC asserts that it still holds jurisdiction over crimes committed in the country before the withdrawal. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated that the Philippines was fulfilling its legal obligations by cooperating, emphasizing that "this is what the international community expects of us."

Sources: Human Rights Watch, Rappler, BBC News, International Criminal Court

On 5 February, lawmakers voted to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte over several allegations, including for high-level corruption and threatening President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The development follows months of an escalating feud between Marcos and Duterte. The impeachment motion cited constitutional violations, betrayal of public trust, graft, and other serious crimes. An investigation into the misuse of public funds related to Duterte's roles as vice president and former education secretary is ongoing. Duterte denies any wrongdoing and will remain in office until her Senate impeachment trial, likely set for July after the midterm elections. If convicted, she could be removed from office and barred from future government positions, though it is uncertain if this would lead to a criminal case requiring her to return public funds.

Sources: Rappler, Reuters, East Asia Forum

According to local human rights lawyers, terrorism financing cases rose from 14 in 2023 to 66 in 2024—a 371 per cent increase, primarily targeting activists and human rights defenders. Many of the reported cases have involved individuals accused by the government of links to the communist insurgency, a claim often tied to the country’s widespread practice of “red tagging.” The findings came to light as the Philippines, in February, was removed from the “grey list” of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an intergovernmental organization supervising the international financial system. The designation had long restricted trade and financial transactions for Filipinos. While government officials welcomed the development, rights experts and advocates have warned that this coincides with the government’s escalating efforts to file baseless charges against civil society and activists. Human Rights Watch states that FATF standards have been weaponized to suppress dissent and arbitrarily freeze the assets of civil society groups.

Sources: Human Rights Watch, The Diplomat, Rappler, International IDEA

On 23 September, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the long-awaited Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers into law, establishing a framework for the rights, welfare and working conditions of Filipino seafarers, whether on Philippine or foreign-registered vessels. The law guarantees rights such as the freedom to self-organize, fair wages, safe working conditions and protection against discrimination. According to the Department of Migrant Workers, the Act will benefit over half a million Filippino seafarers, who make up one in every four seafarers worldwide. The law also includes special protections for women sailors, who account for about two per cent of all employment in the sector, against widespread discrimination and harassment. While labour unions welcomed the landmark legislation in safeguarding seafarers' rights, some rights advocates have raised concerns that specific provisions benefit shipping companies and manning agencies over seafarers and exclude overseas fishers.

Sources: Rappler, Inquirer, Senate of the Philippines, Philippines News Agency

On 24 June, a regional trial court acquitted former senator Leila de Lima on the last of three cases she faced related to conspiracy to commit drug trading. Leila de Lima was previously granted bail in November 2023, after having been held in pre-trial detention for nearly seven years on charges widely believed to be politically motivated and in return for her criticism of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs” campaign. Legal and rights experts have welcomed the long overdue verdict, urging the government to investigate those responsible for the unfounded allegations that led to her arbitrary detention.

Sources: Rappler, Amnesty International, Al Jazeera, International IDEA