MANILA, Philippines – A high-stakes political drama is unfolding as a prominent Senator, facing renewed corruption allegations, has launched a vigorous defense, denouncing the complaint as a “baseless” and “recycled” attempt to divert public attention from massive government graft, particularly the ongoing flood control and “ghost projects” scandals.

The Senator, whose identity is implied through the context of being targeted by a frequent critic and former President Duterte, welcomed the formal investigation, stating the Ombudsman’s forum is the proper venue to finally disprove the accusations.

“I have been expecting this complaint, and now we are in the proper forum to prove the baselessness of these allegations,” the Senator stated firmly. “I now have the opportunity to answer him point by point before the Ombudsman, and not on media anymore. I will cooperate with the investigation and abide by its legal processes.”

A Call to Action: Seek the Truth, Not the Script

The core of the Senator’s defense was not merely a rebuttal of the specific charges but a forceful redirect toward what he argues are the true, ongoing crises of governance. He expressed deep concern that the official narrative is being manipulated and urged investigating bodies to maintain integrity.

“I am one with the Filipinos in this crusade against corruption. I am with you! Let us fight it, and let us jail the corrupt and the thieves. Jail the crocodiles and the masterminds!” the Senator demanded, using strong, evocative language.

He warned against allowing the investigation to be used as a distraction, stressing that shifting the focus away from proven government corruption would only breed further chaos and public outrage.

“Do not let the issue be diverted. Stick to what should be addressed—the truth,” he pleaded. “I have noticed that the narrative seems to have changed; it’s as if there is now a script or a playbook being followed. Believe it or not, if you make a mistake here, the country will become more chaotic. The people will be angry. My earnest plea: Seek the truth, not the script!”

The Senator directly linked the complaint against him to a “diversionary tactic” intended to draw public scrutiny away from the true systemic failures, citing former Governor Chavit Singson’s recent statements about prevalent corruption.

“The real issue right now is the corruption within the current government. The flood control scandal, the ghost projects, the anomalous projects, the substandard projects—that is the real issue now!” he declared.

Rebuttal and the ‘Wrong Tree’ Argument

Addressing the specific complaint filed by his known critic, the Senator categorically rejected the allegations, particularly those related to a reported multi-trillion-peso figure concerning his family members.

“You are barking at the wrong tree!” he exclaimed, challenging his accuser to pursue the actual perpetrators of corruption. He pointed to the Senate hearings that have already exposed the real actors in the flood control scheme: the contractors and financial backers who profit directly from government contracts.

“The truth is already coming out in the Senate hearings. Who are the contractors? The contractors are the real owners! They are the ones with the contracts. They are the ones earning. They are the contractors, and they are also the congressmen! You should go after them!”

The Senator further implied that his accuser’s previous activities may have been funded by the very corruption he now claims to fight, echoing a past insinuation by Senator Bato dela Rosa regarding “financiers.”

A Clean Conscience and the Principle of ‘Delicadeza’

The Senator dedicated a significant portion of his statement to defending his personal integrity and that of his family, particularly against the “recycled” nature of the attacks. He noted the timing of the accusations—in 2018, 2021, and again in 2024—always coinciding with political cycles. He pointed out that his accuser wore the same-colored polo shirt in the most recent complaint as he did in a 2024 attack, sarcastically noting: “Even his polo shirt is recycled!”

Central to his defense was the concept of delicadeza (a sense of propriety and honor). He recounted the stringent measures he took to avoid conflicts of interest, dating back to his time as Mayor Duterte’s subordinate.

“When I worked for Mayor Duterte, one of my conditions was that if my relatives entered the City Hall for business, I would resign. I didn’t want them doing business with the city hall because I observe delicadeza and wanted to avoid conflict of interest,” he stated.

He maintained that this principle continued when Duterte became President: “They could not enter Malacañang. I did not allow it. Did I benefit from their businesses? No. Did I give them favors for government contracts? No. Because I observed delicadeza.”

He concluded with a powerful affirmation of his character: “My conscience is clear, unlike him… His goal is only to protect his financiers and those behind this black propaganda.”

The Senator’s final appeal was for the investigating bodies to rise above political manipulation. “My priority is work, service, and the welfare of the Filipinos… It is up to the Filipino people to decide who is telling the truth.” He vowed that his commitment to service would not be swayed by “worthless slandering,” and reiterated his call to prosecute the true “crocodiles” responsible for robbing the nation.