In a nation accustomed to political turbulence, it takes a seismic event to shake the foundations of power. That event has arrived. A massive, 100-billion-peso scandal is unravelling the fabric of the current administration, pulling the nation’s highest-ranking officials into its epicenter. At the heart of the storm is Congressman Zaldico, the former Appropriations Chairperson, who has unleashed a torrent of accusations from abroad, claiming he is merely the “poster boy” for a “kickback” scheme he alleges was orchestrated from the very top.

The accusations are as specific as they are devastating. Zaldico claims he was given a direct order by President Marcos Jr. and House Speaker Martin Romualdez to insert a staggering 100 billion pesos into the national budget, earmarked for flood control projects. The true purpose, he alleges, was not public service but personal gain, with a “kickback” of 25%—a staggering 25 billion pesos—funneled back to the architects of the plan.

This bombshell “tell-all” explains why, according to Zaldico, he was advised not to return to the Philippines. He was, in his words, meant to be the scapegoat. Now, he is fighting back, and his testimony has sent shockwaves through the country.

The Evasion from the Palace

As the allegations ignite a national firestorm, all eyes have turned to the President. The response, however, has been one of conspicuous evasion. In recent encounters with the media, President Marcos Jr. has been seen waving, smiling, and brushing past the barrage of questions. When pressed on the accusations, his reply has been a familiar one: he will not “dignify” the claims.

This refusal to engage has been met with public frustration. Critics point out that this is the same language used when he faced previous accusations from former President Duterte. For a leader whose family name is synonymous with a contested history of wealth, the refusal to address a 100-billion-peso corruption claim is seen by many as an admission of discomfort, if not guilt. The public is not asking for dignity; they are demanding answers. The spectacle of the President waving while the nation drowns in questions has become a powerful symbol of the disconnect between the government and its people.

A Tainted Investigation?

Compounding the crisis is the growing perception that the official investigation into the matter is a carefully managed cover-up. The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, led by Senator Ping Lacson, is now facing accusations of bias and of actively protecting the President and his allies.

Legal experts, including Attorney Ferdy Topacio, have pointed out glaring inconsistencies. While Zaldico has offered to testify and “tell all” via a secure video link, Senator Lacson has refused, demanding he return to the Philippines to testify under oath. Critics immediately highlighted the double standard, noting that in other recent, high-profile Senate inquiries, such as the one involving Mayor Alice Guo, witnesses were permitted to testify remotely from overseas.

“Why the different standard?” Topacio and other legal commentators have asked. They argue that the investigation seems to hit a procedural wall every time the trail of evidence leads toward Speaker Romualdez or President Marcos Jr. Affidavits from other witnesses, like a certain Mr. Gutesa, have been allegedly suppressed or discredited without proper consideration. The investigation, critics say, has become a tool not for truth but for political protection.

The Devastating Human Cost of Corruption

While the political theater plays out in Manila, the true cost of this alleged corruption is measured in lost homes and lost futures. This scandal is not just about abstract numbers; it is about the 80% of funds that allegedly disappeared, leaving only 20% for the actual projects. These were flood control projects, a critical lifeline for a country battered by typhoons.

The transcript of Zaldico’s supporters paints a grim picture: ghost projects, substandard materials, and non-existent infrastructure that left communities tragically exposed. The anguish and hardship endured by families who lost loved ones or saw their homes washed away in subsequent floods are now being directly linked to the greed detailed in this scandal. The 25 billion pesos allegedly “kickbacked” was, in reality, stolen from the safety and security of the Filipino people.

The Political Civil War

As if the scandal were not destabilizing enough, it has triggered a secondary political conflict. According to sources, a separate campaign is now underway to oust Vice President Sara Duterte. The “pinklawan” and “dilawan” factions, the administration’s political opponents, are being accused of opportunistically lumping the Vice President into the controversy, calling for her resignation alongside the President’s.

Supporters of the Vice President are adamant that she has no connection to the flood control scandal. The issues being used against her, primarily concerning confidential funds, are entirely separate. This move is seen as a deliberate attempt to sow chaos, muddy the waters, and force a complete destabilization of the government, regardless of the line of succession. This “all-out war” has turned the administration’s crisis into a national predicament, with citizens caught in the crossfire.

A Fortress Against the People

The people’s response to the crisis has been a call for peaceful assembly. Prayer rallies and protests have been organized, with many citizens planning to gather at Mendiola, the symbolic doorstep of the presidential palace, to demand accountability.

The administration’s response has been alarming. Mendiola has been placed on “lockdown.” Massive steel barricades and a heavy police presence have transformed the public space into a fortress. This image of a government barricading itself against its own people—who are planning to pray—has evoked chilling “flashbacks” to the Marcos Sr. dictatorship. The message it sends is not one of reassurance, but of fear.

The Call for Moral Courage

Amidst the political maneuvering and state-level intimidation, other institutions are finding their voice. The Catholic Church, through figures like Father Advincula, has issued a powerful appeal. This was not a call for uprising, but a reminder to the military and the police of their true allegiance. He urged them to remain “faithful to your oath,” a vow not to a single man or a political family, but to the Constitution and the Filipino people. It was a clear message: protect the protesters; do not harm them.

Simultaneously, the legal battle for truth continues. Attorney Topacio has publicly challenged the Ombudsman to act. He explained that the Ombudsman has the power to investigate even based on an anonymous complaint. Here, they have a high-ranking former official, the Appropriations Chair himself, naming names and detailing the alleged crime. The silence from the Ombudsman’s office, he argues, is deafening.

The nation is now at a crossroads. The 100-billion-peso question has been asked, and it demands an answer. Zaldico has promised more revelations, and the administration’s attempts to discredit him or suppress the story are only fanning the flames. This is no longer just a political scandal; it is a crisis of trust, a test of institutional integrity, and a fight for the very soul of the nation.