Don’t let the plunderers steal our anger, too

Lately, anger has become our national language, spoken loudly across social classes. Ever since the massive flood control project corruption scandal broke into public view, Filipinos have found their collective fury over corruption and the utter lack of justice and accountability in this country. That anger poured into the streets during the Trillion Peso March last Sept. 21, a massive wave of indignation that has since grown into a full-fledged movement now preparing for an even bigger protest rally on Nov. 30.

And while the masterminds of this grand plunder remain free, the people’s outrage has nonetheless pushed the government to act. The administration under President Bongbong Marcos Jr. was compelled to establish the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI); the newly appointed ombudsman is under pressure to promptly address the public’s demand for justice; the SALNs of public officials, previously protected like state secrets, are gradually being revealed and even the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has begun to clean its house, possibly for the first time in years. These might be minor triumphs in the broader battle against corruption, yet they are tactical and will undoubtedly aid in strategically dismantling the walls of impunity and injustice.

But it’s not only the citizens who are angry. Even the plunderers and political dynasties are into performative anger. Not satisfied with ransacking the nation’s coffers, they, too, are stealing our righteous anger. The very people long accused of looting the nation’s coffers, abusing power and dodging accountability now speak the language of justice, acting like born-again apostles of integrity.

Leading this farce is impeached Vice President Sara Duterte, who has spoken out against “ghost” flood control projects but has forgotten how she is also haunted by the ghost of her unexplained 11-day, multimillion-peso confidential fund spending spree and their multi-billion infrastructure funds in just one district of Davao City. Of course, Sara’s anger against corruption was carefully curated, directed at her political adversaries, including former Rep. Zaldy Co, former House speaker Martin Romualdez and former BFF, President Marcos Jr.

And then there’s Senator Joel Villanueva, who recently held a prayer rally in Luneta, a bizarre gathering that looked more like a TED Talk for accused plunderers. With hands raised to heaven, he justified being twice linked to corruption – once as a congressman, and now as a senator in the flood control mess – by claiming they are the consequences of fighting “different kinds of evil.” Remarkable logic. By his standard, the more scandals he is involved in, the nobler he is. No wonder he’s “blessed,” courtesy of Duterte-appointed ombudsman Samuel Martires’ “secret decision” overturning the 2016 dismissal order issued by Conchita Carpio-Morales over his pork barrel misuse. What a miracle. Praise the Lord!

And of course, Senator Bong Go. He too proclaimed his hatred of corruption, despite his father’s company, CLTG Builders (“Christopher Lawrence Tesoro Go” – yes, his initials), bagging multi-billion contracts in Davao and entering into a shady multi-million joint venture with the Discayas during their Malacañang years. Feigning ignorance of his own family’s business, he vowed to personally press charges against his father and relatives “if there’s any basis.” Touching. Imagine CLTG heroically facing off against CLTG. It’s like punching your own face.

Clearly, the Dutertes and their allies want to style themselves as anti-corruption heroes, even radicals who are against the system. Remember Senator Alan Peter Cayetano’s call for a snap election and the mass resignation of public officials for a so-called “national reset”? The Dutertes are copying the language of social change, appropriating the messages and slogans of the genuine anti-corruption movement and trying to rob it of its moral power. They want to hijack and weaponize the people’s anti-corruption campaign to neutralize their rival elite faction and entice military adventurists into intervening, all to stop the call for accountability from reaching their doorstep.

The public must be more vigilant than ever. We need to learn how to differentiate a real fight against corruption from a phony one. First, we must know where the anger is directed. The people’s movement always punches up; it challenges those in power, whether they are Marcos Jr.’s allies or the Dutertes. The Dutertes’ fake crusade punches sideways or downward. Their concept of corruption is a crime committed only by their enemies and useful sacrificial lambs, and “accountability” is something that applies to everyone but themselves.

Second, ask who benefits. A genuine movement seeks justice for ordinary citizens, the workers, farmers and taxpayers betrayed by corruption. The counterfeit seeks to rehabilitate the image of political dynasties and whitewash their sins.

Third, know who shows up. A true anti-corruption movement draws strength from social movements, progressives, students, church groups and civil society. It is a diverse, multi-class community united by social conscience. The fake version? A chorus of dynasty spokespersons, accused plunderers, online trolls and fake news peddlers.

At a time when the corrupt are finding ways to speak as we do about ending corruption, confusion inevitably takes root. This allows the Dutertes and their gang of political hijackers, interlopers and opportunists to exploit the nation’s unrest for their own interests. Our greatest safeguard lies in our moral compass, political sense, sense of agency and discernment. They are faithful reminders that the fight against corruption is inseparable from the struggle for democracy and equality – and that we must not throw the baby out with the bathwater. Our movement for accountability must not be ceded to those who proclaim to be “anti-system” yet only wish to evade accountability themselves. We must defend the clarity and integrity of our struggle from impostors who exploit public rage to recycle the same politics of greed and impunity.