Former politician Chavit Singson announced that he will go to Malacañan to challenge President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whom he described as his “former friend,” to a debate on alleged anomalous flood control projects.
Speaking at an “emergency” press conference organized by his camp on Monday, January 5, Singson said he wants the debate to happen immediately.
“ASAP. I’m saying it now. If they say tomorrow, I’ll go to Malacañan if they accept my challenge,” he declared.
Singson added that the debate should tackle the reasons why Marcos and his allies remain in power.
He also called for a “One Time, Big Time” rally at the earliest possible time, urging participation from all sectors of society—including the religious community, uniformed personnel, and members of both the left and right.
During the press conference, Singson presented what he claimed were “never-before-seen evidence and personal testimonies” concerning the legacies of both Marcos Jr. and his father, the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
He displayed a list of infrastructure projects in Ilocos Norte, home province of the Marcoses, that were allegedly declared completed despite being unfinished.
He also played video clips, reportedly sourced online, showing the supposed impact of these “ghost” flood control projects on affected communities.
Singson criticized Marcos Jr. for claiming to be the first to expose anomalies in the 2025 national budget, insisting that former president Rodrigo Duterte had raised the issue earlier.
He further alleged that the Marcos administration silenced Duterte by “kidnapping” him and bringing him to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The former president was arrested by Interpol in March 2025 over crimes against humanity in relation to his war against drugs
Monday’s press conference was the second time that Singson called for a media briefing in Manila to speak out against the Marcos’ administration.
In September 2025, he also held a press conference, where he spoke out against the flood control controversy and called on the youth to revolt against the government.
Singson said he had decided only now to present supposed evidence implicating Marcos and his cousin, former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, in the corruption, attributing his decision to “divine providence.”
He said Marcos Jr. is 68 years old in 2026, like his father, who was also 68 years old in 1986, or 40 years ago.
He said number 40 holds significance in the Bible because it “means a completion and a start of a new beginning.”
“Forty years apart. Ika-40th ngayon. So, hinintay ko ‘tong buwan na ‘to para maging 40. Because 40 ay malaking bagay para sa Bible,” Singson said.
Singson then told Marcos to just surrender himself to the police for his supposed connection in the controversy and not wait to happen to him what happened to Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi, who was overthrown by rebel forces. (Joseph Pedrajas)
