Calculated distraction?

Former Rep. Zaldy Co began dropping his exposés on Friday, 14 November, alleging that President Marcos had received P25 billion out of P100 billion in supposed budget insertions — on the same day former House speaker Martin Romualdez celebrated his birthday and just two days before the massive Iglesia ni Cristo rally from 16 to 18 November. The event ultimately ended earlier, on the night of 17 November, after Sen. Imee Marcos publicly raised allegations of PBBM’s drug use.

The INC rally, which reportedly drew some 300,000 per day, was no spur-of-the-moment gathering. It was planned weeks, perhaps even months, ahead. For what exact purpose? To pressure PBBM? To protest corruption? To flex political muscle? This remains unclear. Yet Co’s explosive claims surfaced on that very birthday, right as everything was about to begin.

Was this merely an unfortunate collision in the news cycle? Or was someone trying to seize the narrative, bury another headline, or redirect the public’s line of sight?

In Philippine politics, many will tell you: timing is never accidental.

And if all of these events snowball into talk of a snap election… who would you vote for?                — JASON MAGO

Chin up, Imee!

Chin up, Imee — you’ll need that extra sharpness to climb out of the hole you just dug for yourself.

If, as you now claim, you always knew about Bongbong’s “problem,” why did you help package him as the country’s salvation? Ever since your disappointing numbers in the 2025 elections, you haven’t stopped barking — pointing that chin at the administration, at your brother, at anyone who will listen. Your chin has become a constant thorn to your brother and apparently to anyone who stands between you and attention.

You’re not exposing anything. You just want to be the highlight reel. Your chin is in all the headlines. You want to be number one. The woman everyone talks about. Maybe you always wanted to be president — but how does that work when you’re selling yourself to the Duterte cause? Auditioning as vice president to Sara Duterte — the same woman who once threatened to dig up your father in his grave and throw him into the sea?

You don’t deserve your last name. It’s the only thing — besides that chin — that has kept you relevant. And now rumors are coming for you, too. Are you really a Marcos, or are you more closely related to someone else with the same chin?

Chin up, Imee. It’s hard playing the victim.                      — CARL MAGADIA

In all fairness, amid all the unfairness

Despite the uproar heard around the world caused by the corruption scandal in the Philippines’ flood control projects, some investors appear undeterred. They continue to see the Philippines as a growing economy — one still worthy of their confidence.

Take the European Union, for example. The largest trading bloc has not wavered in its faith in the Philippines despite the local rot. In fact, the EU remains confident about moving forward with its free trade agreement (FTA) with the country.

Massimo Santoro, ambassador of the EU delegation to the Philippines, said the scandal is not a factor in their decision to pursue the FTA — now in its fourth phase. He even cited the government’s response as a reflection of its commitment to ensuring accountability.

“It was the President who identified the issue during his SoNA. He identified it and took concrete action against it. We never had a concern that this would have an impact,” Santoro said at an event in Makati attended by top global experts — an event where reporters naturally bombarded the foreign participants with questions about their confidence in the Philippines.

Similarly, Japan is holding firm in its trust. Ambassador Kazuya Endo said Japanese investors remain committed to the Philippines.

“So many Japanese companies are very much committed to working with the Philippines, bearing in mind that the country will continue to grow with its huge potential,” he said.

The sentiment was echoed by Canada. Corruption issues, it appears, have not derailed ongoing discussions on a trade pact ambitiously targeted to be completed next year.

“These are ongoing negotiations. The government is focused on addressing these issues for the needs and requirements of the Philippine people. At this stage, it has not been a factor in our discussions,” Canadian Ambassador David Bruce Hartman said.

Perhaps there is still hope for our economy to prosper — even amid the internal destruction caused by corruption and now the childish fight between the siblings — or is there?

  — VIVIENNE ANGELES