A political firestorm is intensifying in the Philippines, fueled by explosive allegations of massive corruption within the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., leading to calls for his resignation and raising questions about the stability of his government.
The crisis, detailed in a recent radio broadcast by Herman Tiu Laurel on Global Talk News Radio (GTNR), centers on claims made by a whistleblower, former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co who has accused the President and his allies of orchestrating a multi-billion peso scheme through illegal budget insertions.
The Core Allegations: “The Corruption Scandal of the Century”
According to the Joshua Pasion, Zaldy Co has provided a detailed public exposition, alleging that President Marcos and Speaker of the House Martin Romualdez are at the heart of a systematic plunder of the national budget. The scheme is said to involve the insertion of hundreds of millions, potentially totaling almost two billion pesos, into the 2025 General Appropriations Bill through non-transparent processes.
A key claim is that these “presidential insertions” were not part of the transparent National Expenditure Program (NEP) but were secretly added later in the legislative process. The report specifically implicates a “small committee” within the Bicameral Conference Committee, allegedly comprising a handful of legislators, as the vehicle for these illicit allocations. This method, the broadcast argues, bypasses congressional oversight and public scrutiny, allowing “the budget you stole” to be hidden in the “darkness.”
Political Fallout and Alleged Military Sentiment
The scandal has triggered a severe political crisis. The broadcast cited insider reports from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), claiming a significant shift in military allegiance. The report presented a breakdown of AFP officer sentiment:
- 42% in support of Vice President Sara Duterte.
- 25% in support of President Marcos.
- 33% remaining undecided.
The host emphasized that this points to a potential “withdrawal of support” for President Marcos by the military—a constitutional move distinct from a coup d’état, as historically seen during the administration of President Joseph Estrada. This withdrawal, it was argued, is crucial for any successful “people power” movement.
“The veil of protection has been shattered by Zaldy Co,” the host stated, directly appealing to the AFP to withdraw its support from a president he described as isolated and lacking a clear mandate.
The Legal and Institutional Battle
The administration and its allies have reportedly pushed back against the allegations by challenging the credibility of Zaldy Co’s testimony, noting it was not made under oath or through a Philippine embassy. Pro-Marcos figures, including a commentator referred to as “Lacson,” have been quoted dismissing the claims as “hearsay” and demanding a legally authenticated affidavit.
This defense was fiercely contested in the broadcast. Legal commentators on the program argued that the allegations, supported by specific details, dates, and photographs of money bags, constitute actionable information. They insisted that official bodies like the Ombudsman and the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee have the motu proprio (on its own initiative) power to investigate based on such information, without waiting for a formal, sworn complaint.
“The information is there. Act on that information. Investigate it,” Pasion urged, accusing Ombudsman Remulla of inaction due to his appointment by President Marcos.
Call to Action: Protests and Public Appeal
The broadcast served as a rallying cry for public mobilization. The host announced a series of rallies from November 16-18, framing them not as a temporary protest but as a “vigil” that will continue “as long as Marcos is not leaving Malacañang.” The movement’s goal is the President’s resignation.
The appeal extended to senators, urging them to break ranks with the administration and form an “independent Senate for the transition.” The host made a moral and patriotic plea, suggesting that supporting a corrupt government aligns the individual with the crime itself.
A Broader Conspiracy and a Moral Crisis
The report also suggested a “grand conspiracy” to protect the administration, implicating institutions like the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), which had urged Sal Dico to return to the Philippines and file formal charges. This was portrayed as a stalling tactic.
The crisis was framed in stark moral terms. The host cited biblical scripture (1 Timothy 4) to describe a “conscience seared with a hot iron,” arguing that the nation’s leaders have become desensitized to corruption. He concluded that the ongoing turmoil is a necessary reckoning to free the Filipino people from oppression “once and for all.”
As the nation braces for planned mass protests, the coming days are seen as critical. The political survival of President Marcos appears to hinge on the military’s stance and the magnitude of the public outcry, setting the stage for a potentially historic confrontation between the government and its people.#
