Legal hub for complaints vs corruption to rise soon

CEBU, Philippines — Ordinary citizens will soon be able to take part in the battle against corruption through a public platform dubbed as the People's Legal Hub for Whistleblowers and Truth Tellers.

This initiative will be launched by the Cebu Anti-Corruption Coalition (CACC) as one of the highlights of the second leg of SuPaKK: Sugboanong Pakigbisog Kontra Korapsyon, to be held on February 25, in line with the 40th anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution.

Although the location has not yet been formally announced, Lawyer Jay Pujanes, President of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) Cebu, said that the legal hub will serve as an office for handling complaints against corrupt contractors, government employees, and officials.

He added that through this initiative, citizens will also be able to report issues with anomalous flood control projects, which were a contributing factor to the widespread devastation caused by Typhoon Tino in November last year. The typhoon claimed over 200 lives, left more than 100 people missing, and caused extensive damage to properties nationwide.

“Dili pwede na ato lang ipalabay ang mga nahitabo sa Bagyong Tino. Daghan kaayong nangamatay o na-damage ilang properties because of the flood control projects nga either substandard o ghost,” said Pujanes during a press conference for SuPaKK 2.0 earlier on Feb. 21, 2026.

Pujanes recalled that the idea of establishing a physical office emerged during CACC’s meeting with other lawyers from the Taongbayan Action for Participatory Accountable and Transparent Governance (TAPAT) in January this year.

He mentioned that after the success of the first SuPaKK on November 30 last year, the CACC organizers were able to form an alliance with TAPAT, the organization that developed the “bisto.ph” platform, which allows the public to track various flood control projects across the Philippines.

“Ang na-discuss-an niadtong January is that kinahanglan ta naay office kay kung mo-file og damages complaint against certain politicians, asa man modangop ang kadtong atong mga citizens?” he said.

To address the lack of a physical office, Pujanes shared that the organizers requested assistance from Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy to provide one, which was granted. This highlights the significant need for a safe space for citizens, especially given concerns for their safety.

“Usahay man gud mahadlok ang usa ka tao nga mosumbong in regard to corruption committed by their local government leaders kay mahadlok sila basin og naay mahitabo sa ilaha. So, kinahanglan nga naay safe space para sila mosumbong,” he said.

“Ang People’s Legal Hub is i-provide sa atong archbishop. This is with the backing of the church para ang mga katawhan assured sila of their safety. It’s a safe space for them to report any corruption nga nahitabo,” the lawyer added.

Furthermore, the operation of the legal hub will be led by lawyers from FLAG Cebu, along with volunteer lawyers from various law schools, paralegals, and student volunteers who will assist in drafting the affidavits of the complainants.

These affidavits will serve as the basis for legal action, allowing lawyers to demand accountability from the concerned contractors or public officials.

Pujanes also emphasized that they are determined to file criminal charges against corrupt officials, including potential jail time.

“Aside sa damages, dapat gyud mu-file gyud og criminal complaint kay dapat gyud mahatagan og leksyon. Mapriso gyud tong dapat mapriso,” he stressed.

He also urged the public, especially the victims of the typhoon and those with information on corruption involving local government leaders, to visit the legal hub soon to formally report and take legal action. — (FREEMAN)