Groups stage anti-corruption protest in Iloilo City

By Juliane Judilla

Multi-sectoral groups staged a protest at Plazoleta Gay on Sept. 9, denouncing alleged corruption in flood control projects across the country.

The protest followed explosive testimony before the Senate blue ribbon committee on Sept. 8 by contractors Pacifico II and Sarah Discaya, who accused several high-ranking officials of accepting kickbacks from government-funded infrastructure projects.

Among those named were Uswag Ilonggo Party-list Rep. James “Jojo” Ang and former Aklan 2nd District Rep. Teodorico “Nonong” Haresco, who were linked to questionable transactions involving multi-million-peso flood control programs.

The demonstration coincided with a House committee hearing on the same issue, intensifying public demands for transparency and accountability.

Elmer Forro, secretary-general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN)-Panay, condemned the systemic corruption he said continues to plague national and local government initiatives.

Forro pointed out that ordinary Filipinos are left vulnerable to annual flooding, low wages, and insufficient social services, while politicians and their families live in luxury.

“Sobra na ang kinawatay, sa pihak sang pagwasak nila sang palangabuhian sang ordinaryo nga pumuluyo kag kawawad-on sang serbisyo publiko, padayon man ang kinawatay,” Forro said.

(The stealing has gone too far. Even as they destroy the livelihoods of ordinary people and cut public services, the corruption still continues.)

“We demand accountability and transparency in these projects,” he added.

“We will not let corruption be swept under the rug, especially when the lives of thousands are at stake.”

Matthew Gonzaga of the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP)-Panay said the youth continue to suffer from budget cuts in education, health, and other essential services.

“Samtang padayon naga suffer ang pamatan-on kag pumuluyo sa kakulangan sa badget sang edukasyon, health, kag iban pa nga serbisyo sosyal, samtang naga lubog sa baha ang kada tuig nalang, ang mga politiko kag mga kontraktor nga ni, ara sa babaw sang ila mga mansyon naga enjoy sang kwarta sang pumuluyo,” Gonzaga said.

(While the youth and the public suffer from inadequate budgets for education, health, and social services, and endure yearly floods, these politicians and contractors enjoy the people’s money from their mansions.)

The groups also criticized what they called deep-seated corruption within the government itself, implicating the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in allowing such practices to continue.

“Ang pag-raise sang issue sang flood control corruption indi lang dapat itarget sa mga private individuals o contractors, kundi pati na ang mga kongresista kag mga opisyales sa nasyonal nga gobyerno, lakip na si Marcos Jr.,” Forro said.

(The issue of corruption in flood control should not only target private individuals or contractors, but also members of Congress and officials in the national government, including Marcos Jr.) (Photos by Juliane Judilla / Daily Guardian)