Ferdinand Marcos Jr is correct in citing the “corrosive influence” of corruption and that it is the “worst sin” committed by officials because it involves stealing money from the people. He may be referring to personal experience since his family plundered the nation’s wealth during the two-decade dictatorial rule of his father.
The Marcoses were able to return to power by using their ill-gotten wealth amid the continued dominance of political dynasties, transactional politics and political patronage.
That the political heir of the Dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, who monopolized power to amass inconceivable wealth, is now preaching about combating corruption as a timely reminder that impunity has enabled the worst plunderers and criminals to evade accountability. Imelda Marcos has been convicted for several counts of graft but has not served a single day in prison. Marcos Jr has been found guilty of tax evasion but still managed to run for and be elected as president. Since 2022, several cases related to the stolen wealth of the Marcoses have been dismissed one by one by the courts.
The unresolved flood control scam, the questionable dismissal of the cases involving the Marcoses, and the shameless transactional deals surrounding the impeachment of Sara Duterte highlight the rottenness and bankruptcy plaguing the country’s political system.
Marcos has no credibility of pursuing an anti-corruption advocacy as long as he continues to use his power to shield himself, his family, and closest allies from investigation and prosecution. He cannot also describe himself as a whistleblower since all evidence points to him being the mastermind and principal beneficiary of the gargantuan kickbacks embedded in the national budget insertions.
We call for the conviction of Vice President Sara Duterte for her flagrant misuse of public funds, her attempts at cover-up and apparent amassing of ill-gotten wealth as a strike against impunity. We call for the arrest of all those involved in the systematic and widespread infrastructure corruption scam, starting with the principal actors. We reiterate that Marcos Jr should face accountability for his key role in designing and implementing the corruption-tainted national budget, and enabling impunity by undermining corruption investigations aimed at uncovering the whole truth behind the flood control and pork barrel scandals.
We call for public vigilance during the impeachment of Sara Duterte, and we vow to organize huge protests during the State of the Nation Address on July 27 to demand accountability and an end to corruption impunity.
Marcos singilin!
Duterte panagutin!
Lahat ng sangkot dapat managot!
Burukrata kapitalismo, ibagsak!