Several entertainment figures have taken to social media to voice frustration over corruption in government and the impacts of environmentally harmful projects as millions of Filipinos grapple with the devastation caused by Typhoons Tino and Uwan.
The two typhoons struck the country just days apart. Typhoon Tino primarily impacted parts of Cebu before exiting the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), while Uwan intensified into a super typhoon as it made landfall in various regions.
PAGASA had begun monitoring Uwan while the country was still reeling from the effects of Tino. The earlier storm ravaged areas across Visayas, Mindanao, and Southern Luzon, resulting in extensive damage and at least 188 deaths. Meanwhile, Super Typhoon Uwan has left at least two people dead, two injured, and nearly half a million residents displaced as of Monday, November 10.
Amid the widespread damage, discussions surrounding corruption resurfaced, particularly in light of reports of anomalous and “ghost” flood control projects.
The situation also prompted questions about how public funds and taxes are being utilized during times of disaster. Concerns regarding relief distribution at the local government level and the impact of environmentally harmful projects, such as illegal mining and deforestation, further intensified public discourse.
Actor Romnick Sarmenta pointed to environmental destruction and greed as core issues.
“Deforestation. Mining. ‘Development for residential areas’ – these are the reasons you need flood control. So the problem doesn’t begin and stop at DPWH projects. It begins with greed. That would include ALL corrupt officials in every level,” he wrote on X.
“[Wala] pang nakakasuhan?” he added.
Singer Angeline Quinto expressed sympathy for affected families, reacting to videos circulating online.
“Ang hirap panoorin ng mga [videos] na nakikita online. Ang daming pamilya ang lumalangoy sa baha. Mga bata, Nanay, Lola, Lolo. Hindi ko kaya 😢,” she said, “Mga walang puso ang gumawa nito.”
TV host Bianca Gonzalez stressed that corruption has life-and-death consequences, writing on X, “Wala pa ring nakukulong na kurakot? CORRUPTION, NEGLIGENCE, SUBSTANDARD WORK KILLS.”
Her fellow host Robi Domingo questioned where public funds are going in times of crisis.
“Taon-taon na lang, dinaraanan ng napakaraming bagyo ang bansa. Sa panahon ngayon, halos lahat ng galaw mo, may bayad na may kaakibat na tax. Tapos mapapaisip ka… saan na naman napunta ‘yung binayad mo? Bakit ganito pa rin tayo?” he wrote on Instagram.
Actress Liza Soberano highlighted the reported billions allocated to flood control, reminding the public that where it should rightfully be utilized.
“[Typhoon Tino and Typhoon Uwan] are another very expensive reminder of how the Filipino people constantly suffer at the hands of our disgusting government officials. Who is taking responsibility for the lives that were taken by your greed and corruption. Never forget P545 billion has gone into flood control projects for the past [three] years. Where is the control and infrastructure? You have blood on your hands!” her Instagram post read.
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray took to social media to call for better disaster preparedness and transparent use of public funds in the wake of recent typhoons.
“How I pray that our public funds will be used with transparency and intention to protect the livelihood, safety, and essential human needs of the Filipino people. How I pray that we would hold our government accountable to how they exploit the environment to the consequence of increased risk for communities. How I pray we won’t just be glorified for being resilient when our nation is merely surviving,” she wrote.
“I pray we’ll never settle in a place of ‘ganun talaga eh’, wag tayo masanay. Who we put in leadership need to be held accountable to the responsibility of protecting and uplifting the lives of the nation,” added Gray.
Actor-singer Daniel Padilla joined calls for accountability, reposting an activism page’s quote on Instagram, “Bakit ang mga lumalaban sa korapsyon ang hinuhuli, at hindi ang mga mismong korap?”
“Asia’s Songbird” Regine Velasquez condemned the environmental destruction permitted supposedly under government authority.
“Sino ba ang nagbigay ng permiso butasin ang ating kabundukan, putulin ang mga puno, sirain ang karagatan!!!!!! SINO!!!!!! Hindi na natin maibabalik ito sa dating ganda,” Regine wrote on X.
“Sino pa ang magsasalba sa atin pag may bagyo. Sinira nyo na lahat para ano sa kayamanang hindi nyo madadala sa hukay! Sa lahat ng sangay ng gobyernong walang malasakit ang [kakapal] ng mukha niyo, kayo ang may kasalanan sa lahat ng nangyayari sa Pilipino!” she added.
Actress-host Kim Chiu echoed the environmental plea to “save our mountains”, stating, “Araw-araw tayong pinoprotektahan ng mga bundok, laban sa bagyo, baha, at matinding init. Tahimik lang silang nakatayo, walang hinihinging kapalit, pero patuloy silang nagbibigay ng buhay, ng hangin, ng ginhawa. Sana ganun din ang gawin ng mga nasa itaas. Sana marinig nila ang sigaw ng kalikasan bago pa man maging huli ang lahat.”
She continued, “Hayaan silang maging sila — ang mga bundok na bumubuhay, ang mga bundok na tahanan ng maraming nilalang, ang mga bundok na nagsisilbing proteksyon ng Luzon at ng buong sambayanan. No to mining. Walang konstruksyon. Walang pagwasak. Kung kaya nilang protektahan tayo, kaya rin nating ipaglaban sila.”
Meanwhile, Agot Isidro called attention to voting accountability, emphasizing the public and government’s responsibility to protect Sierra Madre, the longest mountain range in the Philippines. It is also called the “backbone of Luzon” as it serves as a natural shield against typhoons from the Pacific Ocean.
“Kung kayo si Sierra Madre, sino iboboto n’yo? Yung papayag na kalbuhin kayo?” Agot wrote. “Panay ang Salamat Sierra Madre, pero iboboto yung mga pro-mining. So [alam na] next election ha.”
