The foundations of the Philippine government are being shaken by a dual-front political firestorm, as a shocking new whistleblower affidavit implicates Senate President Chiz Escudero in a massive billion-peso kickback scheme, while a bitter feud erupts within the First Family.

In an explosive public contradiction, Senator Imee Marcos has openly challenged her brother, President Bongbong Marcos (BBM), over the handling of corruption investigations into their cousin, former Speaker Martin Romualdez. This unprecedented family rift comes at the exact moment a separate whistleblower details 280 million pesos in alleged payments for Senator Escudero, painting a picture of systemic corruption at the highest levels.

This turmoil is amplified by the chilling words of another whistleblower, who has come forward alleging a 100 billion peso anomaly connected to Romualdez. “I hope they do not harm me before I can release everything,” the individual stated, claiming the administration is using all its resources to ensure their silence. “He will harm me if I will talk.”

The Bombshell Affidavit: ₱280 Million for the Senate President?
The most immediate crisis stems from a detailed sworn statement from an individual named Bernardo, who appears to be connected to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Bernardo’s testimony, which has begun to circulate, provides a stunningly specific account of an alleged pay-for-project operation.

According to the affidavit, the scheme centers around Maynard Ngu, a prominent businessman and owner of Cherry Mobile, who was appointed as a special envoy to China in 2023.

Bernardo claims his interactions with Ngu began around 2013 at Manila City Hall, noting Ngu was known for handling “substantial donations to politicians during election season.” He states that in 2022, he and other DPWH officials assisted Ngu in raising campaign funds.

The situation allegedly escalated in 2024, shortly after Senator Chiz Escudero became Senate President.

“When Senator Chiz Escudero became Senate president in 2024,” Bernardo’s statement reads, “Maynard Ngu approached me and asked for a list of projects for Senator Cheese Escudera.”

Bernardo claims he then instructed an Engineer Opolencia to prepare this list. The affidavit alleges a vast network of projects:

Valenzuela: Projects were collected by District Engineer Ruel Umali.

Marinduque: Projects were collected by Director Ryan Altea.

Oriental Mindoro & Quezon City: Additional projects were later added to the list.

The total value of these projects, according to Bernardo, was 1.4 billion pesos, with an alleged 20% “commitment” attached.

Bernardo’s testimony then makes its most explosive claim: that he personally delivered hundreds of millions of pesos for Senator Escudero.

“Sometime early 2025,” the affidavit alleges, “I made the first delivery of 160 million for Senator Chis Escudero at the Cherry Mobile… street Manila.”

“Thereafter,” it continues, “early 2025 I made the second delivery of 120 million for Senator Chisis Cudero. Also at the Cherry Mobile of Maynard Mo.”

The total alleged amount delivered: 280 million pesos. The affidavit also names other officials, including Engineer Opolencia and a driver, as witnesses to the collection and movement of the funds, which were reportedly consolidated at the Diamond Hotel before being delivered.

A House Divided: Senator Imee vs. President Marcos
As this new affidavit threatens to engulf the Senate, the Malacañang Palace is facing its own internal collapse. The “Unity Team” that dominated the 2022 election is in tatters, with Senator Imee Marcos launching a direct assault on the credibility of her own brother, the President.

The conflict ignited after President Marcos held a press conference, vowing that his administration’s anti-corruption drive would soon bear fruit and that some individuals would not have a “merry Christmas.” However, when a reporter specifically asked if this included former Speaker Martin Romualdez, the President exempted his cousin, stating there was “no evidence” against him.

This answer prompted a scathing and sarcastic public rebuke from Senator Marcos.

“No, they’ll have a merry Christmas,” Senator Marcos told reporters, mocking her brother’s statement. “Because he said… former Speaker Martin will not be charged… unless there’s evidence, but so far wala. So merry Christmas pa rin.”

When pressed on her relationship with her cousin, Senator Marcos was blunt: “I’ve disowned him.”

The statement is a political earthquake, signaling a complete breakdown in the ruling coalition. Observers note that Senator Marcos has grown increasingly frustrated with Romualdez, whom she blames for political maneuvers after the 2022 election, and has visibly aligned herself with the Duterte faction of the administration.

“We All Know the Truth”: Diversions and Distractions
Beyond the family drama, Senator Marcos and other critics allege a deliberate and cynical campaign to mislead the public and protect powerful allies.

The President’s anti-corruption report, which he touted, was heavily criticized for only naming low-level DPWH officials, such as district engineers, while failing to mention a single congressman, who many believe are the true architects of these schemes.

“Is our president this weak?” one commentator asked. “Is he so afraid that he cannot even name a single congressman? Are you serving your allies, or are you serving the Filipino people?”

Senator Marcos echoed this sentiment, arguing that the public is not “bobo” (stupid) and knows the truth. She pointed out a pattern of “squid tactics” designed to divert attention away from the core issue: the flood control anomalies allegedly linked to the former Speaker.

“The public knows that flood control is the issue,” she stated. “But why did it suddenly become about dolomite? Everyone in Bulacan knows the problems there, but the investigators keep going to Davao.”

She and other critics allege that this misdirection is a calculated effort to “cleanse” the name of the former speaker by shifting the blame and confusing the narrative.

Now, a new, more potent distraction has been introduced: Charter Change (Cha-Cha).

“Here we go again,” an exasperated Senator Marcos remarked. “It’s Cha-Cha all over again… because 2028 is approaching, and they want to stay in power… We’re back to the first script of this teleserya.”

The senator’s most telling comment came after she was informed of her brother’s “no evidence” remark about Romualdez.

“I heard it,” she said. “I almost fell off my chair.”

The Philippines is now facing a crisis on multiple fronts: a new, detailed affidavit accusing the Senate President of corruption; a whistleblower fearing for their life over a separate 100 billion peso anomaly; and a First Family that is publicly at war, with the President’s own sister accusing him of covering for their cousin.

With the nation’s highest leaders mired in scandal and infighting, the public is left to wonder who, if anyone, is still fighting for them.