In a dramatic turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the Philippine political landscape, the halls of the Senate were filled with palpable tension as Representative Rodante Marcoleta unleashed a barrage of questions that left the leadership struggling for answers. The focal point of this intense confrontation? A bombshell revelation dropped by none other than Senator Imee Marcos, the President’s own sister, regarding the alleged “unfit condition” and controversial habits of the Chief Executive. The hearing, which was initially set to discuss the national budget and economic performance, quickly pivoted to a much darker and more personal issue that threatens to destabilize the entire administration.

The atmosphere in the hearing room shifted from bureaucratic to explosive when Representative Marcoleta boldly brought up the “elephant in the room.” Referring to a recent massive rally where Senator Imee Marcos took the stage, Marcoleta questioned the impact of her statements on the nation’s stability. Senator Imee had allegedly exposed a “secret” about her brother, President Bongbong Marcos Jr., suggesting involvement in substance abuse—a claim that has been whispered in political circles but never openly addressed by a family member of such stature until now. Marcoleta’s line of questioning was direct and piercing: “Did you hear what Senator Imee said? What will be the effect of this on the confidence and stability of our country?”

The reaction from the panel, including Senate President Tito Sotto and Senator Ping Lacson (though the transcript focuses heavily on the exchange with the sponsor), was described by observers as “tiklop” or folded. There was a notable hesitation to directly address the scandalous nature of the allegations. Instead, the discussion danced around economic indicators, with Marcoleta skillfully linking the political instability to the country’s worsening financial situation. He pointed out the alarming depreciation of the Philippine Peso, which recently hit 59 to the US dollar, and the controversial sale of the country’s gold reserves. The implication was clear: investor confidence is plummeting not just because of policy, but because of a crisis in leadership credibility triggered by these personal allegations.

Marcoleta dissected the government’s economic decisions with surgical precision, questioning why the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) sold a massive 24.95 tons of gold—the largest volume sold by any country recently—leading to a significant drop in the nation’s reserves. He contrasted this with neighboring countries like Thailand and Singapore, who sold significantly less or nothing at all. The administration’s defense, citing “portfolio management” and shifting assets to high-yield investments, seemed to ring hollow against the backdrop of the political scandal. Marcoleta argued that if the gold was a safety net for the Filipino family, selling it off in such huge quantities during a time of uncertainty was a questionable move, further fueling suspicions of an administration in panic mode.

The connection between the alleged “video” evidence of the President’s condition and the economic downturn was the centerpiece of Marcoleta’s argument. He posited that foreign investors are adopting a “wait and see” attitude, hesitant to pour money into a country where the leader’s capability is being publicly questioned by his own blood. The “flood control scam” and corruption issues were also brought up as major deterrents to investment, but the “addiction” narrative remained the unspoken undercurrent driving the tension. The silence and lack of a concrete defense from the administration’s allies in the Senate only served to amplify the gravity of Marcoleta’s points.

This hearing has exposed a deepening fracture within the ruling coalition. With the President’s sister openly attacking his fitness to lead and key allies like Marcoleta demanding accountability in the Senate, the narrative of “unity” is rapidly disintegrating. The public is now left wondering: Is there truth to the “video” and the claims of substance abuse? And if so, can the current leadership survive the mounting pressure from both economic failure and internal betrayal? As the story continues to unfold, one thing is certain—the silence in the Senate speaks volumes, and the Filipino people are demanding the truth.