Topacio: Phl a ‘powder keg’

Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio on Wednesday described the current political situation in the Philippines as a “powder keg,” warning that the rising public frustration could trigger widespread unrest.

“It is a potential powder keg. There is a potential, and I hope if it finally does [explode], it happens at the right place at the right time,” Topacio said on DAILY TRIBUNE’s digital show Straight Talk. He added that he hopes any upheaval would not result in disastrous consequences for the government.

A nightmare

Topacio said the scenario that keeps him awake at night is the possibility of widespread violence and chaos fueled by public frustration over the large-scale corruption.

“The authorities in the present administration seem to be doing nothing about the charges of huge anomalies, which is probably the greatest thievery in our political history,” he said, noting that the amounts involved are staggering.

“I cannot even wrap my brain around these amounts,” he said, highlighting that the scandals extend widely across the government. “They extend into almost every nook and cranny of the executive and legislative branches. The judiciary appears to be the only untouched institution.”

He warned the situation poses not only socio-political risks but economic ones as well, citing a lack of public confidence in the government.

Similarly, political analyst Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit, president of Stratbase Institute, said destabilization could hurt the economy.

“Destabilization weakens the economy, and when the economy weakens, it is the people who suffer,” Manhit said in an interview over DZRH on Tuesday.

He noted that various institutions — including the business sector, uniformed personnel, and religious groups — are calling for a stable government to safeguard the country’s economic performance.

Manhit said the pressure on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is not for his resignation but for him to ensure accountability within his administration.

Hair follicle drug test

Meanwhile, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP Laban) called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to undergo an immediate hair follicle drug test following explosive claims by his sister, Senator Imee Marcos, regarding his alleged “long-term, persistent, and frequent” drug use.

In a statement, the party said it was “extremely alarmed” by the allegations, which it described as “grave” and coming from an “unimpeachable source.”

PDP Laban warned that if true, such claims could seriously affect the President’s ability to perform his duties.

“These allegations, due to their gravity and source, deserve to be taken seriously,” the party said. “Any impairment in the physical or mental processes of the Chief Executive could severely impact the lives and future of the Filipino people.”

The party also highlighted reports that the President allegedly encouraged others — including Senator Marcos’ children — to use prohibited substances.

PDP Laban issued a direct challenge: “Mr. Marcos, please take the hair follicle test — immediately. Not next week, not next month, right now!”

The call comes amid rising public distrust over the President’s leadership, compounded by corruption concerns previously raised by former House Appropriations Committee Chair Zaldy Co.

“Our nation is facing a crisis of confidence in your leadership, fueled not only by these revelations but also by massive public outrage over corruption in infrastructure projects,” the party stressed.

Invoking Section 12, Article VII of the Constitution, PDP Laban emphasized the public’s right to know about the President’s health when it could affect his official duties.

“Prolonged and habitual drug use is not only a criminal issue but also a matter of mental and physical health, which in the case of a sitting President becomes a matter of public concern,” the statement said.

“Mr. President, now is the time to walk the talk on transparency and accountability. The Filipino people have the right to know whether their Chief Executive is of sound mind when making decisions that affect tens of millions of lives. We deserve nothing less,” PDP Laban concluded.