Kabataan Party-list Representative Renee Co on Friday pointed to what she described as a deeply entrenched system of corruption that has fueled the rise of powerful contractors across successive administrations. She cited a Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) report showing that major players, including the Discayas group, have consistently dominated flood control projects since the presidency of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
“Sure tayo na lahat ng mga presidente ay sangkot sa korapsyon. Alalahanin po natin ang isang article na ni-release ng PCIJ na nagsabi, na ang mga top contractors ngayon like the Discayas, they have been the top contractors since president Arroyo’s time. Ibig sabihin, ang kanilang rise into power, rise into greater capital, rise into ill-gotten wealth. It can be traced to this system na ang namamahala on the top ay mga president,” Co said in an interview on One PH’s One Balita Pilipinas.
The lawmaker emphasized that accountability should extend beyond President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former president Rodrigo Duterte, underscoring the need to hold all officials involved in corruption accountable.
“Kasama din po dito ang mas malawak na call na gusto namin ipapanagot lahat ng mga kurakot. Wala pong makakatakas dito sa ating efforts sa pagpapanagot sa kanila. At syempre ang magbago ang sistema. Hindi lang pagpalit ulo, pagpalit sistema,” Co added.
Flood control projects have been under scrutiny following revelations that several were either substandard, unfinished, or never built at all. Allegations of kickbacks further tainted the projects after former Public Works assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez claimed that Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva pocketed at least 30% from nearly ₱1 billion worth of projects in Bulacan. Both senators have strongly denied the accusations.
Amid these controversies, Co revealed that preparations are ongoing for a nationwide protest against corruption set for September 21. Organizers expect more than 10,000 participants to join the main gathering at Rizal Park in Manila, with simultaneous activities planned across regional centers.
“Ang gusto natin mangyari ay ang presence. Hindi natin gusto na magkaroon ng marahas na pangyayari sa loob ng protesta lalo sa ranks ng mga pulis at militar na naka-red alert ngayon,” Co stressed, noting that the demonstrations aim to send a strong but peaceful message against systemic corruption.