#InquirerSeven Most Talked-about Newsmakers of 2014
MANILA, Philippines – The past year has been a good year for some personalities but not so much for others. Look back with INQUIRER.net at the newsmakers who kept making headlines throughout 2014.
This fifth of seven #InquirerSeven listicles remembers the seven Most Talked-about Newsmakers of 2014.
Read the full list of the Inquirer #BestOfSeven 2014 Yearender special.
1. SEN. GRACE POE-LLAMANZARES
The 2013 Senate topnotcher continued to make waves in 2014. Senator Poe rode the MRT last August to experience the suffering of many commuters first-hand, earning her wide praise on social media. Visibly reluctant to consider a run for the presidency in 2016, Poe nevertheless surged to a strong second in Pulse Asia’s most recent survey of preferred presidential candidates.
REFRESH YOUR MEMORY:
- What Grace Poe saw when she took the MRT
- Grace Poe for president is still anybody’s guess
- Grace Poe ‘worried’ by rating rise
2. SEN. MIRIAM DEFENSOR-SANTIAGO
After a two-month battle with cancer, Santiago returned to the limelight to say that she was (mostly) cured and announced plans to run for president in 2016. She has also created a cult following by making the rounds of universities to deliver her jokes and pick-up lines.
REFRESH YOUR MEMORY:
- Santiago talks about selfies, dark armpit before elite La Sallites
- Miriam Santiago: ‘I got lung cancer’
- ‘I’ve licked cancer, I may run for president’ – Santiago
3. DAVAO MAYOR RODRIGO DUTERTE
Another reluctant presidential prospect, Duterte continues to attract support from various groups despite his repeated statements that he has no intention of running for president. He is known for his strongman approach to enforcing the law in Davao City.
REFRESH YOUR MEMORY:
- Duterte wants to kill person behind Duterte-for-president movement
- Duterte to ex-NPAs: I’ll shoot you if you go back to subversion
- Duterte urged: Run
4. VICE PRESIDENT JEJOMAR BINAY AND FAMILY
The Vice President remains the leading presidential prospect for 2016, but several exposes about alleged anomalous transactions in Makati City and undisclosed properties in Batangas implicating him and his family have been a heavy drag on his survey numbers, especially his trust ratings.
REFRESH YOUR MEMORY:
- Plunder complaint filed vs Binay, Makati officials
- Binays face plunder case for PH’s priciest parking building at P1.56B
- Senate subcommittee turns focus on ‘Hacienda Binay’
5. FILMMAKER LAV DIAZ
Renowned filmmaker Lav Diaz garnered international acclaim for several of his films this year, including “Norte,” “Mula sa Kung Ano ang Noon,” and “Mga Anak ng Unos (Storm Children).”
REFRESH YOUR MEMORY:
- Lav Diaz’s ‘Norte’ wins in Serbia
- Lav Diaz wins in Brazil
- Lav Diaz dedicates latest opus ‘Storm Children’ to Haiyan survivors, advocacy
6. POPE FRANCIS
Pope Francis charmed the faithful and the rest of the world with his down-to-earth ways, candid speech, and a general openness to modern culture. The first Jesuit to become Pope, and the first Pope from Latin America, Francis continued to make history on April 27 when he canonized two Popes–Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II.
REFRESH YOUR MEMORY:
7. ‘TANDA, POGI, AND SEXY’
In an unprecedented development, three senators were arrested for their alleged involvement in the billion-peso pork barrel scam allegedly masterminded by Janet Lim-Napoles. Senators Juan Ponce-Enrile, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., and Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada are facing trial on charges of plunder.
REFRESH YOUR MEMORY:
- Jail won’t stop my 2016 run—Revilla
- Jinggoy Estrada back in PNP jail
- After Revilla-Estrada ‘teleserye,’ Enrile wrapped in privacy
