JANUARY 8, 2026 — Mark your calendars: January 15 is THE day! Senator Imee Marcos claims that charges will finally be filed against Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva, plus former Senator Bong Revilla Jr., over the multibillion-peso flood control mess. 

“Ang balita, January 15 ang charges against certain senators will be filed. I understand they have already drafted against Sen. Jinggoy, Sen. Joel and former Senator Bong,” she said. 

Sounds explosive, right? But here’s the catch: Imee didn’t say where she got this information. And if history is any guide, we’ve seen her drop “bombshells” before that never quite landed. 

Remember her November prediction that Senate witness Orly Guteza would recant testimony linking former Speaker Martin Romualdez and ex-congressman Zaldy Co? That never happened. Guteza even vanished from the radar. 

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla himself shrugged off her claims, saying “Buti siya alam niya, ako di ko alam ‘yon … ewan ko kung saan nanggagaling ‘yon.” 

(Good for her that she knows, I don’t know that … I don’t know where that’s coming from.)

Where are the untouchables?

So here we are again, this time with three senators in the spotlight. But why just them? Revilla and Villanueva already face DOJ complaints, yes. Estrada’s name has been floated in hearings. But what about the others? 

Imee herself admitted there’s “no direct evidence” yet against Chiz Escudero, Mark Villar, Nancy Binay, and Grace Poe. And what about the House leaders, where the flood control racket supposedly began? 

Why does it feel like the net is cast only halfway, catching small fry while the big fish swim free?

This is what frustrates the public. The flood control scandal sparked massive protests in 2025, with Filipinos demanding accountability from all officials involved. Yet every time charges are teased, it feels like a diversion, a show, a charade. Imee even confessed she’s given up on the Senate probe after Rodante Marcoleta was removed as chair. 

If the investigation itself is compromised, what hope do we have?

Filipinos deserve more than half-truths and selective justice. Justice that spares the powerful is not justice at all.

Are we really going after accountability, or just sacrificing a few names to protect the truly powerful?

(Image: Senate of the Philippines | Facebook)