MANILA – Malacañang bluntly told Filipinos to stop “recycling corrupt leaders,” warning that the fight against graft will never prosper if voters keep selling their votes and returning the same politicians to power.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stressed that the real power to end abuse lies in the hands of the electorate, not just in laws or investigations.
“Paulit-ulit na lang nandiyan pa rin sila, hindi rin tayo nadadala. ‘Yung mga botante hindi rin nadala so porke’t sasabihin nila nagbigay ng 500 [pesos] boto na. Hindi dapat ganoon matuto tayo,” Castro said in a television interview.
She argued that even the most well-crafted laws are useless if criminal-minded officials are the ones in charge.
“Kahit gaano kaganda ‘yung batas, kung ‘yung lider may utak kriminal gagawa at gagawa ‘yan [ng paraan] para makalusot. Ang pinakamaganda rito … taumbayan ang mamili ng tamang lider,” she added.
Her statement came as thousands — students, faith-based groups, flood victims, and even celebrities — poured into Metro Manila’s streets on Sunday to denounce the alleged misuse of billions in flood control funds. Protesters demanded that stolen money be returned and the guilty be jailed.
According to Castro, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. respects the people’s right to protest and shares their outrage at corruption. But she stressed that demonstrations must be matched by political will during elections.
“‘Yan din ang gusto ng Pangulo maipahatid dito sa mga nang-aabuso na ito na kayo ay hindi dapat nagnanakaw ng pondo ng bayan,” she said.
She urged demonstrators to sustain their momentum beyond rallies.
“Sinimulan niya ito, siguro para mamulat ‘yung tao pero ang pagmulat na ‘to sana wag silang makakalimot. Dapat magtuloy-tuloy ito, dahil ito ang gusto ng Pangulo labanan ang korupsiyon kasi otherwise kung hindi niya ito sinimulan mananatiling namamayagpag ‘yung mga ‘yan nagpapayaman pa rin,” she said.
Castro’s warning comes as congressional hearings and an independent probe continue into an alleged pay-off scheme involving contractors, Department of Public Works and Highways officials, and lawmakers.
Protest leaders vowed to keep up public pressure until accountability is delivered./PN
