Progressive groups led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) staged a protest on Friday morning in front of the House of Representatives in Quezon City to assail the government’s response to the flood control projects controversy.
The House is set to deliberate on the budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) today. DPWH initially requested a P881 billion budget for 2026, but was ordered to do a review following the multiple anomalies surrounding ‘ghost’ flood control projects.
“A slap to ordinary Filipinos”
Following the government’s response advising the public to avoid violence and trust due process regarding the investigation of flood control projects, groups vowed to continue indignation protests to hold the government officials and contractors involved accountable.
A series of protests has erupted across the country since the anomalous flood control projects have been exposed. Within the National Capital Region, Manila mayor Isko Moreno also issued a statement discouraging protests in Manila, stating that he “will not allow disturbing, destroying offices of government and particularly, allow to destroy the peace of any individual residing in the City of Manila.”
“Such protest actions are not mere disturbances. They are the people’s way of warning corrupt officials and contractors to stop stealing public funds. They are also a sharp reminder to the Marcos government that it has the responsibility to seriously investigate the anomalies in the flood control projects and ensure that those involved – whether contractors, politicians, or high government officials – are held to account,” said BAYAN in its statement.
Mimi Doringo, the spokesperson of the urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY), also criticized the government’s response to the protests.
“The Marcos administration urged calm in the midst of the corruption and the controversies. But why do we need to be calm? Have they felt the trepidation that we feel whenever the rain doesn’t let up in our communities? Have they suffered floods like us?” she said.
The urban poor leader also added that not only contractors or personnel must be held accountable for the corruption charges, but also the government officials who benefited from these ghost flood control projects.
“All these corrupt officials and contractors are all in cahoots with each other. They have the gall to tell the people to be calm. Discaya’s lawyer urged us to observe due process. Why is it that when it comes to the rich and powerful, we have to temper ourselves and observe due process? Why is it that when it comes to poor people like us, we are met with threats, killings, and arrests? Why are our rights easily trampled upon? Where is the due process in that?” Doringo stated.
“Unleash People Power against corruption”
The groups further explained the necessity of conducting protests to drumbeat the issue of rampant corruption within the country, especially in light of the ongoing budget deliberation for the General Appropriations Act for 2026.
“The flood control scandal is not an isolated incident but a glaring example of the systemic corruption that bleeds the nation dry, while ordinary Filipinos suffer from poverty, disasters, and lack of basic services. To downplay or dismiss the people’s outrage is to side with plunderers and perpetuate impunity. It is hypocritical of Malacañang to engage in protest-control and dictate how people should express their outrage,” said BAYAN in its statement.
The alliance maintained its stance to stand firmly with the people asserting their right to protest, believing that the people have every right to make their voices heard in all avenues it can be reached, whether in the streets, communities, or the very doors of the corrupt.
“We call on the Filipino people to continue expressing their sentiments and unleashing people power against corrupt contractors, politicians, and government officials. Let us persist in exercising our democratic rights and civil liberties until genuine accountability and justice are served,” BAYAN concluded.
