JANUARY 6, 2026 — Former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson has once again stepped into the national spotlight, this time with a fiery promise: a “One Time, Big Time” protest against corruption. 

At a press conference in Club Filipino, Singson declared, “Maliwanag, harap-harapan itong ginagawa nila. Sila ang may kagagawan nito. It is not enough that Martin Romualdez should be charged alone. Pareho sila (Marcos). Sila ang nakakaalam nito.” 

(It’s clear, they are doing this openly. They are the ones responsible. It is not enough that Martin Romualdez should be charged alone. Both of them [Marcos]. They know about this.)

He called on the public, religious groups, uniformed personnel, and even the youth to join him in this crusade, insisting that the future of the nation has been stolen. 

“Dapat kasama ang kabataan dito kasi ninakaw ang future ng kabataan … tumayo kayo, huwag kayo matakot, kasi future niyo ito,” he said. 

(The youth must be part of this because their future has been stolen … stand up, don’t be afraid, because this is your future.)

But some people are left wondering — Is Chavit truly sincere? This is a man who himself has faced corruption allegations throughout his long political career. 

Can someone with a checkered past credibly lead a moral crusade against corruption? Or is this another case of political theater, timed perfectly as the nation approaches the 40th anniversary of EDSA People Power?

The timing is no coincidence. February 25 looms large, and Singson’s rally call echoes the language of mass uprisings. Yet, while he frames himself as a hero, Malacañang counters that President Marcos Jr. is simply fulfilling his duty. 

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stressed, “Hindi nagpapakabayani ang Pangulo, kundi obligasyon niya na linisin ang gobyernong ito para sa tao.” 

(The President is not trying to be a hero but fulfilling his obligation to clean the government for the people.)

Double standard?

Now let’s put this side by side with another headline that’s been making noise: the arrest of retired General Eliseo Rio Poquiz, who got slapped with a sedition case just for speaking out about alleged government irregularities. 

Think about that. Poquiz talks, he gets jailed. Chavit, on the other hand, openly calls for a “One Time, Big Time” rally to boot out corrupt officials — even pointing fingers at the President himself — and people are actually entertaining it.

Which one sounds more like sedition? A general airing his frustrations, or a politician rallying the crowd to rise up against the highest powers in government?

This is where the public needs to cut through the noise. Is Chavit’s rally truly about cleaning up corruption, or is it just another act in his long political playbook? And if words alone can land someone behind bars, why is organizing a nationwide protest treated with kid gloves?

(Image: YouTube)