Top 12 Philippine Newsmakers For 2014

1. Tado Jimenez - Arvin Jimenez (March 24, 1974 – February 7, 2014), known mononymously as Tado, was a Filipino comedian, actor, radio personality, businessman and activist. His nickname "Tado" comes from a Tagalog expletive he frequently blurts out.[1] Tado was primarily known for the offbeat television program Strangebrew and the U92 radio program The BrewRATs!. Tado died on February 7, 2014 in an accident when a Florida Trans bus fell off a road in Sitio Paggang, Talubin, Bontoc, Mountain Province of the Philippines.[10] In total, fourteen people were killed and more than 32 people were injured.
2. Vice President Jejomar Binay - Given his position as the country’s second-highest ranking official, it’s normal for Binay to be newsworthy. But this year has been extra controversial for the 2016 presidential polls hopeful—from allegations of an overpriced car park to an overpriced high school building in Makati, and facing (but not attending) a series of Senate hearing probing his supposed Batangas estate. Add to that his plummeting ratings in presidential polls. A packed year for the VP, indeed.
3. Janet Lim Napoles - She has not been as visible after her arrest in 2013 but Janet Napoles still makes newsrooms busy. Her profuse menstrual bleeding, or of having sex at the hospital made people cringe—issues that surfaced because she sought hospitalization for ovarian tumor. In June, Napoles, the alleged mastermind of the multi-million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam was charged with plunder, alongside Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, and Ramon “Bong” Revilla.
4. Imelda Marcos - The former First Lady and now Ilocos Norte Representative began the year with a bang when she visited and brought wine and flowers to former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is under hospital arrest and then called President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III unjust and cruel. In November, Sandiganbayan meanwhile seized Marcos's prized paintings by Pablo Picasso, Michaelangelo Buonarotti, Francisco de Goya, among others. One of the paintings was reportedly purchased in 1983 for a whopping $3.5 million.
5. Manny Pacquiao - The most popular Filipino athlete won in two boxing bouts this year (vs Timothy Bradley in April and vs. Chris Algieri in November) and also donned a basketball jersey instead of gloves, when he joined Kia team as a playing coach. However, his biggest achievement must be the birth of his fifth child, whom he and wife Jinkee named Israel.
6. Nora Aunor - Superstardom and countless acting accolades have not been enough to convince Malacanang that Nora Aunor deserves to be called a National Artist. In July, President Aquino thumbed down a nomination for Aunor, citing a previous drug-related case in the U.S. Earlier in the year Aunor gained a monument in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, the shooting location of her iconic film "Himala.” Aunor may have lost the prestige and perks of being a National Artist but she’ll always have the support of her legions of fans.
7. Jovito Palparan - One of the country’s most wanted was arrested in August, in a humble hide-out at Sta. Mesa, Manila. The emaciated Major General once tagged as “berdugo” (butcher) said he stayed free for three years with a facial hair disguise. However, a single ATM transaction gave clues on his whereabouts. He is charged with the disappearance of Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan and is detained at the Philippine Army headquarters.
8. Vhong Navarro - Vhong Navarro gained public sympathy as well as scrutiny after appearing on national TV badly bruised, accusing businessman Cedric Lee and several others of almost killing him after an alleged rendezvous with Deniece Cornejo. Model Cornejo eventually accused and charged Vhong of rape (charges were dismissed) while the TV host filed illegal detention charges that placed Cornejo, Lee, et al in jail. In September, Cornejo and Lee posted bail. Apart from the headlines Vhong made, there was a barrage of memes (Remember, ‘dala ka foods’?) and video parodies.
9. Miriam Santiago - Thanks to her punchlines, Senator Miriam Santiago has always been a favorite source of quotes. But in July, Miriam made headlines, no thanks to an illness. Santiago announced she has lung cancer, prompting a long leave of absence at the Senate and resignation from her post as judge at the International Criminal Court. Now, Santiago claims her health vastly improved after a series of treatment and she is now mustering energy as she eyes the 2016 presidential elections. 
10. Delfin Lee - Delfin Lee, President of Globe Asiatique and one of the country's top five fugitives, was captured outside a hotel in Malate, Manila and was later brought to Camp Crame in Quezon City. Lee faced syndicated estafa charges filed by Department of Justice (DOJ) for the 6.6 billion pesos Globe Asiatique scam in 2009.  Lee is currently detained at Pampanga provincial jail.
11. Alan Purisima - PNP Chief Director General Alan Purisima faces graft, plunder and indirect bribery complaints over an allegedly undervalued property and the renovation of a multi-million residence at the general police headquarters in Camp Crame.
12. Manuel Amalilio - Manuel Amalilio, the brains behind a P12 billion Ponzi scheme in the Philippines, has been freed by a Malaysian court on 21 October 2014 and the extradition request for Amalilio was also denied by the Malaysian government.

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tado_Jimenez

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aman_Futures_Group

http://www.mb.com.ph/malaysia-refuses-to-extradite-amalilio/

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/384606/news/nation/malaysia-refuses-to-extradite-aman-futures-amalilio

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/12/14/14/doj-moves-bring-back-amalilioManuel Amalilio

http://www.rappler.com/nation/72792-philippines-appeal-extradition-aman-futures-boss

https://ph.news.yahoo.com/year-in-review-2014--top-newsmakers-in-the-philippines-094450672.html