In the halls of power, a simple handshake can be a greeting, or it can be a declaration of a new alliance. According to explosive new reports, a political “coup” is brewing in the Philippine Senate, and the evidence is a stunning video of rival senators suddenly and warmly embracing, signaling a unified move to opple the current leadership of Senate President Tito Sotto. The bombshell accusations claim Sotto and his long-time partner, Senator Ping Lacson, are no longer leading, but are instead “puppets” in a scripted “play” to protect the true, powerful masterminds behind a massive national scandal.
The entire affair has been ignited by a video analysis of a recent Senate session. The footage, which has since gone viral, captures what appears to be a seismic shift in the political landscape. In the clip, former Senate President Chiz Escudero, who was himself ousted from the presidency, is seen being approached by a steady stream of senators from both the majority and minority blocs. The analysis points to this as definitive proof of a new, powerful coalition. Senator Rodante Marcoleta, Senator Bato Dela Rosa, and even Senator Pia Cayetano—described as someone who had “broken away” in the past—are seen shaking his hand and offering hugs.
What has political insiders in a frenzy is the “shocking” sight of Senator Risa Hontiveros, a vocal critic, also approaching Escudero with a handshake. This single gesture is being interpreted as the final nail in the coffin, a sign that all factions have “abandoned” the current leadership and are unifying for a single purpose: to “save the Senate.” The breathless analysis counted the handshakes as if they were votes, with the narrator declaring that the ouster of Sotto is no longer a question of “if,” but “when.”
The motive for this alleged political takedown is as shocking as the “proof.” The reports claim that Sotto and Lacson have been exposed as “following a script” (sarsuela) orchestrated by other powerful figures, including House Speaker Martin Romualdez. These senators are accused of “protecting” the masterminds of the multi-billion-peso flood control scandal, refusing to let a real investigation move forward. The unification of senators around Escudero is being framed as a desperate act by lawmakers to “restore the trust of the people” and “end the play” that has paralyzed the Senate.
As this central drama unfolds, the same reports are highlighting other political figures who are allegedly part of this web of deception. Senator Kiko Pangilinan is being called out as a “tool” of the establishment, accused of a desperate “distraction” campaign. As the Senate reels from the flood control scandal, Pangilinan is being attacked for trying to divert the public’s attention by suddenly demanding the asset declarations (SALN) of a former ombudsman. Critics claim this is a transparent attempt to “change the subject” and are challenging Pangilinan to release the SALN of his own wealthy wife, superstar Sharon Cuneta, implying he has his own assets to hide.
The allegations of a cover-up reach even higher. House Speaker Martin Romualdez, referred to as “untouchable,” is now being accused of “faking an illness” to stall his own hearing before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI). A post from attorney Guanzon, cited in the reports, claims Romualdez is using the medical excuse to “flee the country” and “fix his wealth” before it can be forfeited by a “new administration,” which she confidently predicts will be led by Sara Duterte. These reports paint a picture of a man on the run, his “untouchable” status beginning to crack.
This entire political firestorm is happening against the backdrop of what is being described as a “weak” and “clueless” national leadership. President Bongbong Marcos is being portrayed as a “hypocrite” who invites the Chinese president to the Philippines after publicly criticizing China, only to be “snubbed” by world leaders like Donald Trump. A video clip allegedly showing Trump greeting other leaders while ignoring Marcos is being circulated as “proof” that the Philippine leader has “no influence” and is an “embarrassment” on the world stage. He is being accused of being blind to the corruption within his own government, with critics warning him not to let the funds for the upcoming ASEAN summit be “stolen” by those closest to him.
The video ends its explosive report by targeting another high-profile figure, Antonio Trillanes IV, labeling him a “fake news peddler” for hire. The report cites a specific instance where Trillanes allegedly “lied” about Senator Bong Go being invited to an ICI hearing, a claim the ICI itself later denied. Trillanes is being painted as a “barking dog” paid by corrupt contractors to attack their political enemies and distract the public from the real issues. It is, the report claims, all part of the same corrupt system that the “Senate coup” is now trying to dismantle, a system where the “paid media” hides the truth and only a dramatic, unified move by honest senators can finally expose it.