“I live in the Philippines and tell you about the epochal protest against corruption and the scandal of anti-Inondations ghost projects”

The news has passed quite in the Italian media, but in recent weeks the Philippines They were overwhelmed by an epochal wave of protests against systemic corruption and the promises betrayed by the political class. Tens of thousands of citizens have fallen into the squares of the capital Manila and in numerous other cities, giving life to a popular movement that many analysts consider the largest of the last ten years in the Asian country.

The culmination took place on September 21 with the “Trillion Weight March”, A march to which over 100 thousand people have joined to denounce the opaque management of public funds and the scandal of the so -called ghost projects for the control of floods.

With signs and banners, the demonstrators asked for a radical change: more transparency and respect for the population.

Target of public anger were also the “Nepo Babies”, Children and grandchildren of politicians and contractors involved in the scandal of ghost projects, which on social networks show free lives made of flights on private jets, luxury holidays and signed accessories.

The choice of date was not accidental: September 21 is in fact the anniversary of the imposition of martial law by the dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. (father of the current president) in 1972, a period remembered for the brutal repression of dissent and rampant corruption. The protests ended with about 200 arrests, Of which 89 minors, but have sent a strong message of the political elite: the Filipino people – among the most exposed of Asia to extreme weather events – is exhausted to be ignored and made fun of by those who should protect it.

The interview with a Filipino town

To better understand the roots of this collective anger, we collected the testimony from a Filipino girl, originally from the city of Batangas and who works in Manila today. His voice returns with lucidity and bitterness the sense of frustration of an entire generation, grown between recurring scandals, inequalities and the feeling that power always remains in the same hands.

What do the protests of the Filipino people arise from?

I think the Philippines are simply tired of the government and the political class in general: as we always say: “Paulit-Ulit Na Lang” (it is always the same story). This time we ask for a change. It is like watching a film that we have already seen and, unfortunately, we already know how it will end: nothing will never change.

Who participated in the historic “Trillion Weight March” march?

Ordinary people, students, workers, religious groups and professionals have joined, but some senators have also openly expressed their opinion on the matter, such as Bam Aquino, Kiko Pantgilinan and Chel Diokno. The protest attracted great attention even when some celebrities made themselves heard sharing their positions and making the request for change even stronger.

Can you explain the scandal of ghost projects for the control of floods?

It all started when President Marcos mentioned the projects for the control of floods in his speech on the state of the nation, after weeks of fatal floods. Visited one of the sites and found that, Despite the huge budget invested, nothing had been built. Some members of the congress supported his statements and soon the news exploded because for years a large slice of the budget had been intended for these projects to protect the population from floods.

The even more sad thing is that many government officials were involved, from the senators and members of the Congress to the mayors and departments such as the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Autostrade). The system is full of flaws. People had already complained of poor projects in the past, but this time it emerged that some had even been marked as “completed” when nothing had been built: completely ghost projects. I just hope justice. That money came from citizens’ taxes, which deserve to see the promises that were made made.

How widespread is corruption in the Filipino society? Do you think this mobilization can finally be the beginning of a change?

Honestly, corruption has always existed in the Philippines, as far as I remember. Perhaps before he was not so widespread, or perhaps simply did not speak so much. The big difference is now that first the corrupt officials at least tried to hide it, while now they openly show off their luxurious lifestyle and the same do their families. And the sad part? We started to consider it normal.

As for the fact that this may be the beginning of a change, I am not yet convinced. As I said before, it’s like watching a movie you’ve already seen: you already know how it will end. Until they do to find the real principals behind all this, these infinite investigations and hearings will not serve much.