It just got worse for the politicians, businessmen, and their relatives who have been embroiled in the recent flood control controversy. As netizens call more attention to “nepo baby” influencers and government officials call for investigations, celebrities have also joined the chorus of people demanding accountability from those accused of corruption.
“When Jessica Soho said ‘Hindi na pala baha ang magpapalubog sa ating bayan kundi kasakiman,’ sakit,” actress and host Anne Curtis said on X.
Earlier this week, fellow It’s Showtime host Vice Ganda jokingly asked a contestant in one of the noontime show’s segments if the flood control funds in his Bulacan hometown had been stolen. “Kumusta naman diyan? Binabaha ba kayo ‘pag may bagyo?” the comedian asked.
When the contestant answered, “Hindi po. Mataas naman po ‘yong lugar namin,” Vice Ganda said, “So hindi nagkanakawan ng flood control budget diyan sa lugar ninyo?”
On Thursday, August 28, Vice Ganda also took to her Instagram stories to throw even more shade at allegedly corrupt politicians. “Super tipid ako dito sa London kasi ang mahal. Kaya namalengke na lang kami noong first day at nagluto dito sa Airbnb,” she said. “Pangatlong araw na naming iniinit ‘tong natirang adobo. Tapos bigla kong naalala ‘yung milyun-milyon kong tax na pinaghahati-hatian ng mga garapal na magnanakaw. Aray koooo!!!!”
Pinoy Big Brother host Bianca Gonzalez and actress Nadine Lustre have also spoken on the issue, specifically with regard to the influencer children of politicians and businessmen allegedly involved in anomalous flood control projects.
“My feed [is] filled with posts on the lavish lifestyle of kids of corrupt officials…” wrote Gonzalez on X. “And here we are, mga walang generational wealth o nakaw na yaman, na kumakayod araw-araw, na minsa’y nahihiya pa magpost ng travel o ng nabili kasi baka ‘mayabang’ ang dating. Paano ba to?”
In an ambush interview on Thursday, Lustre told reporters, “I’m really sad seeing people struggling, losing their homes, livelihood, pets, because we can’t find a solution. Nakaka-galit, nakaka-lungkot na ‘yung binibigay natin na buwis sa ganon napupunta. Nakakainis talaga. It is sad funds are being used for something else.”
Actress Gabbi Garcia posted an Instagram Reel compiling clips of her travels abroad, captioned, “Rich in life ‘cause I can travel the world and live my best days with my own hard-earned money.” The post seemed to take a jab at the influencers accused of using government funds pocketed by their relatives for vacations.
Lifestyle Checks
While flood control projects under the current administration and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have been under scrutiny since last year, it wasn’t until July, when President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. called for investigations into the projects during the State of the Nation Address, that the government launched into action. On August 19, the Senate began its investigation into the projects, the DPWH, and their contractors.
On Wednesday, August 27, Marcos ordered “lifestyle checks” on all government officials, starting with DPWH officials. These lifestyle checks would involve reviewing their Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs). Vice President Sara Duterte backed the president’s decision, saying the checks should be a “deep dive.”
On Friday, August 29, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that even members of the executive branch and Marcos himself were ready to undergo lifestyle checks. Meanwhile, the DPWH has prohibited all its officials and employees from personal travel overseas amid investigations.
