THE ANATOMY OF A COLLAPSING ADMINISTRATION

I. PROLOGUE: THE JANUARY RESISTANCE

January 2, 2026, marks the first official working day of a year that many political analysts predict will be the “Make or Break” period for the administration of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The festive lights of the Christmas season have dimmed, revealing a stark, cold reality: a government besieged by its own statistics. The “Unity” (UniTeam) that defined the 2022 election is not just broken; it has been forensically dismantled by a series of financial scandals, internal betrayals, and a catastrophic decline in public confidence.

The theme of this investigation is “The Dissolution of the Mandate.” We examine how a historic 31-million-vote victory has, in less than four years, curdled into a net trust rating of -3% and a trust rating of -15% in major surveys. We scrutinize the “Architecture of Vanity” within the Department of Tourism, the “Remulla Rumors,” and the looming 6.793 trillion peso budget that many fear is the ultimate “heist” before the 2028 transition.

II. THE REMULLA RUMOR: A STUDY IN PUBLIC DISCONTENT

The first major “digital explosion” of 2026 involved rumors surrounding the health of Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla (often referred to by critics as Boing Remulla). Reports circulated on social media that he had been rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

The Forensic Response The Palace, through Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano, was forced to issue a rapid denial. Clavano’s text message to media outlets was oddly specific: “He is currently enjoying his sinigang mayamaya for breakfast.” While the administration intended this to be a reassuring sign of health, the public reaction was a psychological revelation.

The Psychological Fallout Thousands of netizens reacted to the news of his “health” not with relief, but with open disappointment. This highlights a dangerous shift in the national psyche. When a significant portion of the population reacts with “joy” to the alleged illness of a high-ranking official, it signifies a total breakdown of the “Social Contract.” The public no longer views these officials as servants, but as obstacles to justice. The sentiment is clear: the people want these officials “healthy” only so they can stand trial in 2028 under a new administration.

III. THE DOT AND THE CULT OF PERSONALITY

A parallel scandal involves the Department of Tourism (DOT) under Secretary Christina Frasco. A recent promotional magazine, intended to market the Philippines to foreign investors and tourists, became a flashpoint for criticism.

Frasco over Features Instead of featuring the iconic Tarsiers of Bohol, the majestic Chocolate Hills, or the world-class beaches of El Nido, the magazine prominently featured the face of Secretary Frasco. This move has been characterized by veteran journalists like Ted Failon as “Politics over Promotion.”

The Marketing Failure While neighboring countries like Vietnam and Thailand are “thinking outside the box” by creating iconic bridges (the Golden Bridge in Da Nang) or utilizing high-speed rail as a tourist attraction, the Philippines is stuck in a “Traditional Politician” (Trapo) mindset. By placing the face of a politician on tourism collateral, the DOT effectively k*lls the “Brand” of the Philippines and replaces it with the “Brand” of a political clan. Critics sarcastically suggest that the next “tourist attraction” should be a guided bus tour of “Ghost Flood Control Projects” in Bulacan, where tourists can search for the billions of pesos that vanished without a single drain being built.

IV. THE VERDICT OF VIC RODRIGUEZ: “BBM MUST GO”

The most significant “insider” blow to the administration came from former Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez. In a searing broadcast titled “The Verdict,” Rodriguez argued that the President has lost the moral and political authority to lead.

The Math of Rejection Rodriguez broke down the forensic data of the latest surveys:

SWS Survey: A net trust rating of -3%.

Pulse Asia: A trust rating of -15%.

WR Survey: A rejection rate reaching -26% in some demographics.

Rodriguez’s analysis is rooted in the “Social Pact.” He notes that in 2022, Marcos Jr. was given a second chance—a “Redemption” for the Marcos name—based on the promise of “Bangon Bayan Muli” (Rise Again, Nation). Instead, the public perceives a “Bangag na Pilipinas” (dr*gged Philippines), defined by high prices of rice, sugar, and onions, and a weak leadership that cannot control the greed of its own relatives.

The Abandoned 31 Million The tragedy, as Rodriguez points out, is that the 31 million people who voted for Marcos Jr. did so because he wore the “Duterte Branding.” By betraying the Duterte family and allegedly “masterminding” the surrender of the country’s sovereignty to the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding former President Rodrigo Duterte, Marcos Jr. has effectively “murdered” his own political base.

V. THE 6.793 TRILLION PESO “SOFT PORK” BUDGET

The primary weapon of the 2026 crisis is the proposed National Budget. Valued at a staggering 6.793 trillion pesos, it is the largest in Philippine history. However, forensic analysis by the “Maisog” (Brave) opposition reveals that it is “Siksik, Liglig, at Hitik” (Packed and Overflowing) with “Soft Pork.”

The OP Insertion Representative Leandro Leviste and Senator Ping Lacson have identified an 8 billion peso insertion tagged as “OP (ES/SAP).” This suggests that the Office of the President, the Executive Secretary, and the Special Assistant to the President have their own private “wish list” of infrastructure projects, bypassing the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) technical planning.

The PhilHealth Raid This budgetary greed follows the 2025 “Plunder” case filed against the current Executive Secretary regarding the sweep of GOCC funds. The administration successfully moved 60 billion pesos from PhilHealth—money intended for the medical therapy of children and the elderly—into “Unprogrammed Funds” that lack transparency. While ordinary workers see “Universal Health Care” as a dying dream, the House of Representatives sees the PhilHealth fund as a “Piggy Bank” for the 2028 election.

VI. THE IMPEACHMENT GAMBIT: RISA HONTIVEROS VS. SARA DUTERTE

As the President’s ratings crash, the administration-aligned forces have activated a “Deflection Script.” Senator Risa Hontiveros (referred to by some critics as “Virus”) has begun publicly discussing the “approaching reality” of impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.

The Psychological Strategy The goal of the impeachment is not necessarily a conviction, but “Political Paralysis.” By entangling the Vice President in a legal war, the administration hopes to:

k*ll her 2028 momentum.

Distract the public from the -15% trust rating of the President.

Neutralize the “Duterte Machinery” that is currently exposing the flood control anomalies.

The “Ngiwi” Factor The public has noted the irony of Hontiveros’s move. While she claims to seek “accountability,” she has remained silent on the 18.58 billion peso MOOE fund of the House of Representatives. Critics argue that Hontiveros is merely the “Face” of a script written by the Palace to ensure that the “2028 Obstacle” is removed before the corruption investigations reach the “Big Fish.”

VII. THE ICC TROPHY: THE BETRAYAL OF TATAY DIGONG

The investigation into the “Unity” split reveals a deep-seated anger regarding the treatment of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Rodriguez and other “Maisog” leaders argue that Marcos Jr. has used the ICC as a “Political Hitman.”

The Mastermind Allegation Despite initial denials, the administration’s actions suggest a coordinated effort to “hand over” the former President to the ICC. Rodriguez characterizes this as a “Murder of Sovereignty.” By allowing a foreign b0dy to litigate a Filipino leader, Marcos Jr. has broken the fundamental principle of the 1987 Constitution.

For the “DDS” (Duterte Die-hard Supporters), this is the ultimate betrayal. They see a leader who fought dr*g lords and crime syndicates being “caged” by a leader who refuses to even take a dr*g test. This disparity is what is driving the “Marcos Resign” movement.

VIII. CONCLUSION: THE VERDICT OF THE STREETS

The Philippines enters the second work day of 2026 as a nation in forensic transit. The “Verdicts” are no longer just coming from the courts; they are coming from the terminals, the markets, and the social media feeds of 110 million Filipinos.

The standoff is between a “Palace of Vanity” that promotes its own image and a “Resistance of Truth” that holds the receipts. Whether it is the 18 billion peso secret fund, the 60 billion peso PhilHealth raid, or the -15% trust rating, the data points to a singular conclusion: the mandate is gone.

As Vic Rodriguez stated, the “Proof of the Pudding is in the eating.” If the 2026 budget is signed without a line-item veto of the billions in pork, it will be the final confirmation that the administration has chosen its own interest over the national survival. The “boxing match” is far from over, but in the court of public opinion, the gavel has already fallen. The verdict is guilty. The sentence is rejection. The demand is resignation.