The proposed 2027 National Expenditure Program has further exposed the sham anti-corruption drive of the government of Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Despite the unresolved cases involving anomalous infrastructure contracts and the continuing clamor for accountability, Marcos has submitted a budget bill that allocated 107 billion pesos for flood control projects. The budget also retains items intended to boost political patronage. In other words, the huge allocations for flood control and suspicious ayuda programs are glaring proof that the pork barrel system is still intact.
The Makabayan coalition also pointed out that around half of the budget for the office of the president is for confidential and intelligence funds. This is a reminder that as we demand the impeachment conviction of Vice President Sara Duterte for misusing the confidential funds of her office, we should also lambast the questionable CIF allocation for Marcos Jr.
Over the past year, Marcos Jr has used the vast powers of his office to shield himself and his closest subordinates and family members from being investigated and prosecuted for their criminal roles in the widespread corruption scandal.
First, he ensured that the investigation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure will not reach Malacanang. Second, he directed his allies in Congress to dismiss the impeachment complaint filed against him. Third, the Ombudsman and other anti-corruption agencies are guilty of having a double standard in handling cases involving Palace officials.
Marcos Jr feigns concern over the massive corruption in the bureaucracy and even encouraged citizens to report corrupt officials. But he undermined the call for accountability as police resorted to the harsh dispersal of anti-corruption protests. Activist leaders have been slapped with harassment suits intended to deter people from speaking out and mobilizing against corruption. His family also maneuvered for the dismissal of all forfeiture cases related to their ill-gotten wealth.
Marcos Jr is shameless for repeatedly making false statements about his stance against corruption. He hypocritically calls for accountability while perpetuating impunity. He is the epitome of a bureaucrat capitalist under his term.
The content of the budget bill is the latest undisputed evidence that the business of corruption remains entrenched in all levels of government. Marcos displays his indifference to the plight of ordinary Filipinos as the budget for social services was slashed in contrast to the retention of pork barrel funds.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan enjoins the people and all those who spoke out and protested against corruption to expose, oppose, and reject the proposed 2027 budget. This budget serves the selfish interests of corrupt officials led by Marcos Jr, his allies, and cronies. We are at the same time acutely aware that Marcos Jr continues to have the backing of his main foreign patron, the US of A, despite the odious hallmark of corruption, because his regime is subservient to imperialist interests.
We should demand the scrapping of flood control projects, and focus on pursuing accountability against all those implicated in the scandal, starting with Palace officials. The CIF should be removed, including the CIF and pork barrel of the president.
Let us push forward the people’s agenda for social justice, democratic rights and genuine independence.
Abolish pork barrel!
Rechannel pork barrel funds to social services!
Fight for social justice, democratic rights and genuine independence!
Lahat ng sangkot, dapat managot!
Burukrata kapitalismo, ibagsak!