An economic watchdog has warned that the Marcos Jr. administration is deliberately “managing” public outrage over corruption scandals, allowing discredited officials to survive political backlash and potentially return to power in the 2028 elections.
IBON Foundation Executive Director Sonny Africa, in an interview with Super Radyo DZBB, said the administration’s credibility on anti-corruption efforts is severely undermined by the pork barrel allocations embedded in the national budgets it has passed.
“Hindi ka maniniwala na totoong anti-corruption campaign ito kasi unang-una yung administration medyo mababa ang credibility dyan kasi sa tatlong national budget natin na pinasa nila, sila talaga yung actually may control dun sa pork barrel na nilalagay dyan,” Africa said.
Africa emphasized that corruption has already cost the public enormous sums, citing flood control projects as a glaring example.
“Kung susumahin naming ang lahat ng flood control projects about P197-B ang nawawala taun-taon since 2023,” he stressed.
He added that the scale of questionable insertions and ghost projects has become “so brazen” that the administration itself appears to anticipate public backlash.
“Pero clearly sa sobrang naging garapal ng mga insertions, ganun kalala na ghost projects. Mukhang alam nila, na-sense nila na sisingaw ito dahil nga sa sobrang paglala talaga ng korupsyon, so parang mina- manage tayo,” Africa explained.
Africa warned that the most dangerous outcome is not simply the persistence of corruption, but the administration’s success in channeling public anger without real accountability.
“Sa amin ‘yun ang pinakamalungkot, maging matagumpay ang administrasyon sa thirst for blood ng publiko, may ilang senador, ilang kongresista, siguro maraming contractors, kung mabibigay sa atin yan. Pinakadelikado rito ay mina-manage ang galit natin tapos maghihintay ng 2028 , tapos ma-e-elect na naman ang mga parehong corrupt officials na nakalusot,” he said. (RRN)
