03/09/2024
The Devil in sheep's clothing
Ctto Bobotante
The real Mastermind of Political Chaos – Speaker Martin Romualdez’s Relentless Ambition
By OPTIC Politics —Analysis
It all started with a question that dared to challenge the seemingly untouchable—a question posed by SMNI about the staggering P1.8 billion travel allowance of Speaker Martin Romualdez. Instead of transparency and accountability, the response from Congress was swift and ruthless. What followed was not just a series of congressional investigations targeting SMNI, but a chilling display of power meant to silence dissent and tighten Romualdez’s grip on the political landscape.
Congress, under Romualdez’s command, went after SMNI with a vengeance. Anchors Ka Eric and Dr. Lorraine Badoy found themselves detained after being held in contempt—a move designed to send a clear message to anyone daring to question the Speaker. The situation escalated further when an agency under the executive branch, likely acting under congressional pressure, suspended SMNI’s franchise. The network, a voice critical of the Romualdez-Marcos alliance, was effectively silenced.
But the retribution didn’t stop there. Local executives aligned with the Duterte faction were suddenly suspended, and relentless harassment against the Dutertes began, suggesting that Romualdez was making his next move—eliminating any rivals before his 2028 presidential bid. Behind the scenes, whispers from the corridors of power hinted at a larger conspiracy. Sources close to the Marcos-Romualdez inner circle suggest that Romualdez orchestrated the chaos in Davao, particularly the crackdown on Pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s KOJC compound. His motivation? To tighten his control over the President and Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos.
Romualdez, known for his cunning and ruthless ambition, allegedly blackmailed Marcos Jr. and Abalos with threats of congressional investigations. The targets? The President's alleged co***ne use, ties to smuggling operations, corruption, and even the overreach of First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos in executive decisions. These potential scandals hang over the Marcos administration like a sword of Damocles, ready to drop at Romualdez’s command.
The recent legal troubles of Pastor Quiboloy in the United States conveniently factored into Romualdez’s plan. It is suggested that by eliminating Quiboloy, Marcos Jr. could secure some leverage in his own precarious legal situation in the U.S. After all, Imelda Romualdez Marcos, a central figure in the Marcos clan’s legacy, is still entangled in unresolved legal issues in the U.S., further complicating the delicate balance of power. Romualdez’s maneuvering is therefore twofold—protect his family’s interests while solidifying his control over the President.
If one looks closely, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s silence is deafening. Secretary Benhur Abalos has similarly disappeared from the public eye, while PNP Chief General Marbil, widely seen as a Romualdez pawn, appears to be following orders without question. Their silence speaks volumes—it reveals the fear of being dragged into congressional investigations that could lead to impeachment for Marcos Jr. and a slew of criminal and administrative charges against Abalos and Liza Marcos.
All the while, Speaker Martin Romualdez and his wife, Yedda Marie Romualdez, travel the country with smiles plastered on their faces, distributing aid as if they are detached from the turmoil they have sown. It’s a grotesque and cynical display of power and privilege, a calculated effort to distract the public from the reality of who is truly behind the chaos.
Filipinos must see the truth—Romualdez’s presidential ambitions for 2028 are driving this political upheaval. Every move he makes is designed to eliminate rivals, consolidate power, and position himself as the ultimate political force. Marcos Jr. and Abalos are mere pawns in Romualdez’s grand plan. The real threat to Philippine democracy is not just corruption—it is the unchecked ambition of a man who will stop at nothing to secure the highest office in the land.
The time for complacency is over. Filipinos must direct their anger and outrage at the true mastermind of this political crisis. Speaker Martin Romualdez is the real monster lurking in the shadows, pulling the strings and orchestrating the chaos that threatens to tear the nation apart. It’s time to expose him for what he truly is—a power-hungry politician willing to sacrifice the country for his own ambitions.
