Celebrities voice frustration over flood control corruption allegations

Metro Manila, Philippines - Corruption in government projects has touched a raw nerve even among the generally apolitical show business personalities - a reflection of growing public frustration.

Actress Anne Curtis quoted veteran journalist Jessica Soho’s viral line: “Hindi na pala baha ang magpapalubog sa ating bayan kundi kasakiman”

[Translation: Our nation will not sink in flood, as it is in greed.”]

Multi-awarded actress Nadine Lustre called out stagnant conditions amid worsening weather.

“With everything that’s going on with the typhoon and flood, people are not seeing any improvement so obviously mali talaga [something’s really wrong],” she said in an interview.

FAMAS Best Actor Vice Ganda took aim at corrupt officials in an Instagram post, joking about reheating leftover food to save on cost during a London trip as taxpayers’ money is siphoned off to corruption.

“Pangatlong araw na namin iniinit tong adobo tapos bigla ko maalala yung milyong milyong kon tax na binabayad na paghahatian ng mga garapal na magnanakaw. Aray ko po,” he said.

[Translation: It’s our third day reheating this adobo, and then I remembered the millions in taxes we pay only to be split by shameless thieves. Ouch.]

Television host Bianca Gonzalez lamented the stark contrast between the struggles of ordinary citizens and the lavish lifestyles flaunted by children of alleged corrupt officials.

The celebrity comments were in the wake of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s order to conduct lifestyle checks on Department of Public Works and Highways officials on the back of more than 9,000 complaints sent to his office about questionable projects.

Malacañang urged the public to remain vigilant and continue reporting irregularities through sumbongsapangulo.ph.