Our Country is Drowning in Corruption- Flood Control Fury
- Andi Dela Torre Griffiths | Memento Vivere Blog
- Oct 6
- 3 min read
The past few months have been eventful for the country. Aside from the recent quakes and typhoons that devastated our provinces, there have also been other pressing issues at hand, such as reports of suspected espionage by foreign nationals and sleeper agents in the country, and the case of the missing cockfighting enthusiasts, among others.
But the one that’s making the most noise at the moment is the flood control issue involving corrupt officials and contractors. Billions of pesos (from taxes) are involved.
Our Crocodile-Infested Waters | Flood Control Fury
To those who aren’t from the Philippines but are curious to know, this particular issue revolves around the misuse of the budget meant for improving our flood control systems. Of course, the money went to the officials, those who worked for them, the conspirators, the wives (girlfriends, or mistresses), and their children. If they used the money properly, there would have been fewer casualties and fewer homes destroyed during the recent floods. Commuters also didn't have to worry about getting soaked on their way to work. BUT, the crocodiles chose to be greedy.
We use the term crocodiles to describe our corrupt officials, because they are also greedy, thick-skinned, and predatory, like the actual reptiles (except they're worse).
If you’ve seen some of the hearings, you know how infuriating it is to watch them put on a circus show. Crazy. These people have no morals, no shame, and no respect for the citizens they’re supposed to serve. Walang hiya, walang modo, and walang delicadeza, kumbaga.
I love the Philippines because I'm a full-blooded Filipina born and raised here. But corruption is so deeply ingrained in the political system that there are times when I wonder if it is even possible to eradicate it, in a world where the law of polarity also operates.
When I was in college and taking my Investigative Journalism classes (under Sir Ron Gagalac), I remember getting upset at some of the cases that involved corruption in the education sector. I wrote a Tagalog song called “Pera Pera” during that time to express my frustration as a musician. The cases I've read weren't too different: they were about the misuse of funds intended for the improvement of educational facilities for public students. To rob clueless Filipino children of what is rightfully theirs (probably to send their kids to schools in Switzerland or wherever abroad) is evil. The same goes for the misappropriation of public funds in other sectors.
The lavish lives of Philippines’ nepo babies
While the nation suffers from the poor service of the very people who should be serving us, and while most of us work fairly, the children of those involved in this sham spend money like water and live luxuriously. They are the nepo babies of the Philippines.
What are nepo babies?
As the term suggests, nepo babies (a shortened version of nepotism babies) refer to children who belong to prominent families and achieve success because of their lineage, connections, and influential parents. These children have an advantageous start compared to others due to their connections (regardless of their qualifications). And while this isn’t necessarily bad (because you can’t choose who you’re born to), it becomes problematic when that advantage is used unfairly.
Anyway, many of these nepo babies are influencers who excessively display wealth online on social media. If they’re not doing luxury shopping trips in Europe, you’ll see them dining at fancy restaurants, ordering the most expensive items. They documented everything online, but many of them have deleted their channels and vlogs after the issue.
It's comforting to see that many of us are now waking up and voicing our desire for better governance (rather than staying silent), but I do hope that, bit by bit, all the efforts, big or small, lead to just punishment for those who deserve it. May all those who are in the position to do so, do it.
Okay, I'm feeling a bit dizzy now and feel like having noodles with egg, so I'll stop here. Have a great week ahead.
