“Mahiya Naman Kayo!” – How Three Words Reshaped BBM’s Tumbling Presidency

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For months, the Marcos Jr. presidency seemed destined for collapse. The mid-term elections had dealt a humiliating defeat to the administration slate—a stinging rebuke often viewed as a referendum on a sitting president. Add to that the deepening anger over the International Criminal Court’s pursuit of Rodrigo Duterte, which initially split public opinion but was quickly weaponized by troll farms, flipping the narrative into a deafening “Bring him home” clamor.

By July, the cracks in Malacañang were undeniable. Three days before the State of the Nation Address (SONA), the Supreme Court blocked efforts to advance Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment in the Senate. For critics, it was confirmation that Marcos Jr. was now a lame duck president, staggering through his term with three long years still left on the clock.

The writing on the wall was clear: Marcos Jr. was floundering. That is—until one thunderous soundbite changed everything.

The Turning Point: “Mahiya Naman Kayo!”

On SONA day, Marcos unleashed a carefully sharpened blade: “Mahiya naman kayo!” His target? The top 15 contractors siphoning billions from flood control projects.

The line detonated like a grenade across the nation. For ordinary Filipinos, trapped knee-deep in floods year after year while billions supposedly funded “flood mitigation,” the anger was visceral. Suddenly, corruption wasn’t an abstract statistic—it had a face, a name, a lifestyle.

And then came the Discayas.

When Mayor Vico Sotto reminded the public that the Discaya family, recently featured in a glowing TV interview by Korina Sanchez and Julius Babao, was among the contractors named by Marcos, the outrage skyrocketed. Viewers who watched their interviews saw more than a success story—they saw opulence dripping from every frame. When the Discayas admitted that their wealth ballooned only after landing DPWH contracts, it confirmed what Filipinos long suspected: corruption had robbed them blind.

Social media exploded. Netizens shredded the so-called “nepo babies,” disgusted by the ostentatious display of ill-gotten wealth. What had long been whispered was now undeniable.

The Domino Effect

Events abroad stoked the flames. In Indonesia and Nepal, massive corruption scandals had sparked uprisings and ousters. Could the Philippines be next?

The whispers grew louder. Powerbrokers saw opportunity: remove Speaker Martin Romualdez, bring back Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and weaponize impeachment to dethrone Marcos Jr. In military chat groups, patriotic calls to action reverberated—though many of the loudest voices came from Duterte-loyal generals, their real goal being to replace BBM with Sara Duterte.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, Marcoleta opened investigations. But observers noticed the glaring bias: the spotlight was fixed only on Marcos’ term, conveniently shielding Duterte’s years in power.

The nation simmered. It felt as though one spark could ignite a wildfire.

And then—it happened.

The Senate Coup

In a stunning twist, the Duterte bloc was sidelined in a Senate coup. Whether or not Marcos orchestrated it, the effect was immediate: his trust rating soared while Sara Duterte’s plunged.

The follow-through was swift. DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan was replaced with Vince Dizon, known for fast action. An Independent Commission on Infrastructure was established. Soon after, Romualdez was ousted as Speaker.

For now, Marcos Jr. had successfully redirected public anger—away from Malacañang, and toward the corrupt contractors, DPWH officials, and legislators who had been feasting on the nation’s flood control billions.

A President Reborn—or Just Lucky?

Marcos Jr. rode the wave. In an interview, he quipped: “Tama lang naman na magalit ang mga tao. Kung hindi lang ako Presidente, sasama din ako sa kanila sa Sept 21.” Over the top? Perhaps. But undeniably effective. For once, his soundbites hit their mark.

Yet the storm has only begun. Investigations creeping into the Duterte era could unearth the staggering ₱51 billion flood control budget linked to Paolo “Polong” Duterte, the contracts cornered by the Go family’s CTLG construction company, and potentially drag Mark Villar back into the spotlight.

Then there’s the looming shadow of the ICC. Reports swirl of an imminent warrant of arrest for Bato dela Rosa—possibly even Bong Go and Sara Duterte.

If these dominoes fall, the once-mighty Duterte dynasty could be shattered beyond repair.

The Final Reckoning

So, was it brilliance or blind luck? Did Marcos Jr. masterfully recalibrate his sinking presidency—or did he merely stumble upon the perfect storm?

What is clear is this: three words—“Mahiya naman kayo!”—shifted the nation’s gaze. From a president on the brink of political irrelevance, Marcos Jr. clawed his way back into the center of the fight, wielding outrage as both shield and sword.

But as investigations expand and alliances fracture, one truth remains undeniable: the reckoning for corruption is far from over. And when the fire finally engulfs those who fed on the nation’s suffering, history will remember who lit the match.

Magaling ba o tsamba? You decide.

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