Senator Imee Marcos raised alarms on Wednesday, claiming that she and the entire 13-member Senate majority bloc are being systematically targeted by government agencies through orchestrated legal case buildups.
Speaking at a media forum, Marcos revealed that she had received insider warnings from individuals within the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Ombudsman regarding imminent legal actions against the alliance.
“Palagay ko lahat kami talagang pinupunteriya… As a matter of fact, maraming tumatawag, maraming nagte-text sa amin, taga-DOJ, taga-OMB, na sinasabi na kaming lahat… kine-case buildup na raw kaming labing tatlo. All 13 of us are being targeted, (I think all of us are really being targeted… As a matter of fact, many are calling, many are texting us, from the DOJ, from the OMB, saying that all of us… a case buildup is supposedly being done against the thirteen of us. All 13 of us are being targeted)” Marcos disclosed. “There is an ongoing effort to build up cases against the present Senate majority.”
The senator described the escalating legal challenges as an attempt to deplete their ranks through a barrage of increasingly severe accusations.
She rattled off a list of colleagues currently facing scrutiny, including Senators Rodante Marcoleta, Jinggoy Estrada, Joel Villanueva, Chiz Escudero, and siblings Camille and Mark Villar.
“Ang dami-daming kaso. Pati si Senator [Rodante] Marcoleta. Yesterday, kahapon may announcement si Senator Jinggoy [Estrada], Senator Joel [Villanueva], Senator Chiz [Escudero], yung dalawang Villars, Camille and Mark Villar. Sangkatutak na talaga ‘yung kaso, inuubos yata kami sa kaso, (There are so many cases. Even Senator [Rodante] Marcoleta. Yesterday, yesterday there was an announcement about Senator Jinggoy [Estrada], Senator Joel [Villanueva], Senator Chiz [Escudero], the two Villars, Camille and Mark Villar. There are really a mountain of cases, it seems they are wiping us out through cases)” she lamented. “Tapos nakatengga pa… may ICC warrant na susunod kaya si Senator Bong Go raw ay nasa listahan na naman. (And then it’s still pending… an ICC warrant is coming next, which is why they say Senator Bong Go is on the list again.)”
Expressing bewilderment over the political climate, Marcos contrasted the current friction with previous Senate leadership transitions, citing their past acceptance when they lost to now-Senate Minority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.
“Pananakot ba ito o pang-aapi? Hindi ko na maintindihan, (Is this intimidation or oppression? I can no longer understand it)” Marcos questioned. “Nakailang beses na papalit-palit ang Senate President, bakit ganito katindi? Noon naman natalo kami, hindi kami bumote kay Senator Tito Sotto, wala naman umalma, quiet lang kami, kahit tinanggal lahat ng aming komite, ayos lang. Kasi naniniwala kami sa proseso, hindi kami kapit-tuko sa posisyon. Pero ngayon bakit ganito, hindi naman nangyari ito dati. (The Senate President has changed how many times, why is it this intense? Back then when we lost, we didn’t vote for Senator Tito Sotto, nobody complained, we were just quiet, even when all our committees were stripped, it was fine. Because we believe in the process, we don’t cling like leeches to the position. But now why is it like this, this never happened before.)”
Marcos urged a halt to what she labeled as political persecution, especially given pressing national concerns.
“Whether this is true or not, I certainly pray that this persecution, if that is what it will be, will not proceed… Hindi naman maganda ito, lalo na’t hinaharap natin ang napakatinding emergency, (This is not good, especially since we are facing a very severe emergency)” she added.
Rising Legal Storm Over the Majority
Marcos’ pronouncements come on the heels of confirmation from Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla that his office is finalizing plunder charges against Senator Jinggoy Estrada over an alleged flood control project scam, with filing expected within days.
A separate case against Senator Joel Villanueva is projected to follow in two weeks, alongside potential charges against at least three other lawmakers. A related investigation involving Senator Chiz Escudero is also underway.
Furthermore, Senator Rodante Marcoleta faces complaints of plunder and indirect bribery over ₱75 million in alleged undeclared campaign donations from 2025.
Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa as an “indirect co-perpetrator” in crimes against humanity linked to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has also been tagged in the case, with reports indicating his arrest warrant may be imminent.