Celebrities join protests vs flood control corruption

MANILA, September 22 ------ Celebrities lent their star power as they joined mass protests across the Philippine capital demanding accountability for alleged corruption in public works projects. Thousands of demonstrators gathered at key sites, including the People Power Monument along EDSA and Rizal Park in Manila, to express outrage against perceived corruption in flood control projects. Among them was comedy superstar Vice Ganda, who delivered a fiery, impassioned speech at the People Power Monument during the Trillion Peso March.

In a expletive-laced speech, the "It's Showtime" host called for the return of the death penalty for corrupt government officials and challenged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to jail those behind the anomalous projects. "Tapos na ang panahon ng mabait at resilient... 'Di na uubra bait-baitan. Hindi ko babaitan mensahe ko — sa katunayan, mga hayop sila. Hindi natin kakalmahan dahil deserve nila ang galit, poot, at pikon," Vice Ganda said.

Vice Ganda attended the protest with fellow Kapamilya stars Anne Curtis, Darren Espanto, Donny Pangilinan, Ion Perez and Jackie Gonzaga, along with Anne's sister, Jasmine Curtis. Also spotted at the Trillion Peso March were Iza Calzado, Catriona Gray and Nadine Lustre. Ben&Ben also performed at the EDSA rally.

Early in the day, Elijah Canlas graced the Trillion Peso March, where he called those involved in the alleged misuse of public funds the "best actors." "Lahat tayo kumakayod, nagtatrabaho nang disente, halos magbuwis-buhay para makapagbayad lang ng buwis, tapos lahat ng pinaghihirapan natin ano nangyayari? Binubulsa lang," he told fellow protesters.

Meanwhile, Director Joel Lamangan attended the "Baha sa Luneta" protest in Manila, where he also serves as the program's director. "This [event] is very important so that those people concerned na nangungurakot ng pera ng bayan ay malaman nila na ang tao ay hindi natutulog at nagaglit na sa kanilang ginagawa," said Lamangan, who also appears in the primetime series "FPJ's Batang Quiapo."

Actresses Angel Aquino, Jodi Sta. Maria, Tessie Tomas, Maris Racal and Andrea Brillantes, along with Miss Philippines Earth Joy Barcoma, were also spotted at the Luneta protest. Aquino said she had been fighting corruption since her student days at the University of the Philippines in Baguio, but added that things seem to have gotten worse. "Parang mas malala pa ang nangyayari, mas in our face nila ginagawa ang pagnanakaw nila yung paglulustay nila sa sa mga pera natin," Aquino said on stage at the protest. "Mas importante na bantayan natin ang kilos nila at panagutin natin sila," she said.

In Makati, Dingdong Dantes, Kim Molina and Jerald Napoles were among those who joined a protest run to denounce corruption. Meanwhile, Pinoy Big Brother Gen 11 alum Jasmine Dudley-Scales marked the first anniversary of her exit from the reality show by using the platform to call for accountability over alleged anomalies in flood control projects. "Today is the first anniversary of getting out of PBB. I mark one year by using my voice," she said. "As a breadwinner, it’s frustrating to see where billions [are going]. I’m fighting for people’s rights."

Internet personality Sassa Gurl also urged protesters to fight until justice is served, and stressing that the movement does not end with the "Trillion Peso March." "Hindi ito ang huli, magkikita tayo hangga’t hindi binabalik ang pera," she said. "Gutom tayo—fresh sila? Hindi puwede ’yan. Magalit tayo."

Source: news.abs-cbn.com