A political maelstrom is engulfing the Philippines, fueled by allegations of a multi-trillion peso corruption scandal within the national budget and growing calls for the impeachment of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
The controversy was detailed in an October 1, 2025, broadcast of Opinyon Online on Global Talk News Radio (GTNR), a news commentary and discussion program hosted by Herman Tiu Laurel with analysts Ado Paglinawan and Joshua Pasion. The show centered its allegations on flood control and infrastructure funds, accusing high-level officials of syphoning off public money through a sophisticated system of budget “insertions.”
Fall Guy or Mastermind?
At the heart of the scandal is former Appropriations Committee chair, Congressman Zaldy Co, who recently resigned. The Opinyon Online commentary alleged Co is being set up as the “fall guy” for a much larger syndicate. Paglinawaan pointed out that Co himself stated he “could not have been the mastermind” as he was “reporting to somebody higher.”
The program directly implicated House Speaker Martin Romualdez, the President’s cousin, suggesting Co was reporting to him. Laurel noted that Speaker Romualdez granted Co a “medical leave” to leave the country, which the hosts labeled as facilitating his escape. “Pinatakas na talaga (He was truly made to escape),” Laurel stated.
“Co has a point. He could not have been the mastermind because he was reporting to somebody higher than him,” Paglinawan stated, arguing that the scandal’s scale required authority only the Speaker and the President possess.
Senatorial Showdown and a “White Knight”
The scandal has triggered a political showdown in the Senate. The broadcast described Senator Ping Lacson, previously known for his anti-kidnapping advocacy, as a “looming threat” whose “true colors” were revealed during a confrontation with Senator Marcoleta over the handling of a witness.
The commentary hailed Senator Marcoleta as a “white knight” and a “victory for the true will of the people” for his role in exposing the alleged cover-up attempts. This included his successful opposition to the appointment of a proposed Ombudsman, whom the hosts criticized for having fraternal and alumni ties to the Romualdez family, creating a “conflict of interest from the get-go.”
Impeachment Calls and “Failed State” Warnings
Amid the turmoil, calls for impeaching President Marcos are gaining traction. Congressman Kiko Barzaga was cited as a key figure publicly pushing for impeachment proceedings, pointing to the President’s ultimate responsibility for signing the national budget.
The commentators argued that the President is “complicit,” with Pasion stating, “The signature of [the budget]… the initial of the Secretary of Budget Management… There are many incidents that we cannot ignore. This is the syndicate.” Paglinawaan framed the scandal as “premeditated,” pointing to President Marcos’s first official act in 2022: abolishing the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC).
The political climate was described as being on the brink of a “failed state,” with the executive branch barely functioning, and the legislature and judiciary allegedly compromised. The situation is further inflamed by the ongoing rift between President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte.
International Dimensions and a Succession Push
The report also touched on international dimensions, with Paglinawaan revealing a communication with a contact in Washington D.C. who was “using a dipstick” to gauge the situation. There was an active effort by the commentators to promote Vice President Sara Duterte as a competent and popular successor, highlighting her record 32-million vote count and advocating for her “neutrality” and “balanced foreign policy” as an alternative to the current administration’s stance.
Economic and Other Developments
The report briefly noted the Philippine peso’s weakness against the US dollar despite the dollar’s global decline, signaling underlying economic concerns. In contrast, it highlighted China’s National Day, framing its rise as a positive global development offering an alternative to Western systems.
In a related development, the program noted that the Philippine Senate had passed a resolution (15-3 with 2 abstentions) urging the International Criminal Court (ICC) to grant former President Rodrigo Duterte house arrest, a move seen as a “signal victory” for his supporters.
As the scandal continues to unfold, the demand for a “drastic surgery” in the government is growing louder, with the public awaiting the next moves from both the administration and its opponents in Congress.#
