Following numerous corruption scandals involving prominent political figures, the Stand in Opposition to Plunder (STOP) Corruption Alliance gathered for a civic assembly to discuss how the deteriorating public trust and confidence in the government had led to the need to establish a people’s transitional council.
Speaking on the power disparities between the elites and the masses, STOP Convenor Leo XL Fuentes highlighted the importance of the mutual social contract between politicians and the populace, reminding them of the responsibility of those in government towards the governed.
“Naay social contract, dapat ang relasyon dIli lang siya one-sided… kung dili ta maging vocal, dili ta mag-demand ug accountability, pwede ra gyud ta limtan-limtan sa mga duty bearers, mao nang kita karon nagkatapok para ilinya na ug mu-awhag ta sa uban na civil society, para collectively atoang tawagon, na aduna silay responsibilidad sa ato.”
He underscored the government’s responsibility for the collective good of the people, highlighting that its legitimacy and power derive directly from them.
“Kita kay ginahatagan nato silag buwis matag karon ug unya, kada pamalengke nato, kada palit nato… Sila pud as duty bearers, naa silay dako kaayo na [pannagutan] kanato, tungod kay kita man nagtuboy dira,” Fuentes said.
STOP Convenor Elmer Muapas uncovered the government’s institutionalised corruption within its bureaucratic system, making it more vulnerable to plunder and other forms of kleptocracy.
“Karon na isyu sa flood control sa DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways), mao ni ang nireplace sa PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund) scam… ang kwarta na gitaguan, tax na gihaguan, padulong ra sa mga politiko.”
The Priority Development Assistance Fund’s (PDAF) pork barrel scam controversy was a corruption case, an earlier symptom of the government’s systemic corruption, occurring in 2013 under the former President Benigno Aquino III administration, in which public discretionary funds amounting to P10 billion were defrauded using shell companies or bogus non-governmental organizations.
He also expressed suspicion regarding the uneven distribution of city infrastructure projects, noting that over a 9-year period, top contracts funnelled bulk budgets to companies linked to political figures.
“Naa silay mga strategy kumbaga ang mga dako na kompanya, apil sad ang political backing kay makita naay connection gyud ang mga dako na mga kontraktor ug ang mga nidaog na politiko… kung tanawon, 34.1% sa budget sa flood control from 2016-2025 ang nakuha sa top 5 na companies,” Muapas stated.
Amid impeachment efforts against both President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, Fuentes proposed other mass-centred political alternatives, especially on the establishment of multi-sectoral transitional councils that will better serve the needs of the people rather than the few elites.
“Mao ni learning nato sa EDSA I ug EDSA II na dili nato gusto na mu-utro, naa gihapoy tendency na ang mupuli kay gikan gihapon sa ruling class… usa ni [transitional council] ka alternative.”
Despite the difficulties encountered in forwarding the impeachment complaint to the Senate, he remained hopeful about the possibility of a change in the government’s top seats.
“Wala pud ta nag-ingon na absolute na ang transition council, pero dili ta sarado and lisod gyud pud na ipa-oust si Marcos or ipa-oust si Sara na mabilin ang isa, ang linya nato: packaged na sila na gibutang diha, dapat packaged pud na papahawaon,” Fuentes further commented.
Representing youth and collegiate journalism at the assembly, Atenews Editor-in-Chief Elliot Dimasuhid reasserted the right to advocate for accountability and to protest social injustices, condemning the oppressive policies of state authorities.
“Dili man intawn krimen ang pakigbatok sa korapsyon ug pagsulti sa kamatuoran ngadto sa gahum…Kung gamiton raman sa estado ang gahum aron pahilumon ang mga estudyante, aktibista, ug ordinaryong mga lungsuranon nga nangayo og hustisya, dili naman na balaod ug kahusay, pagpanglupig naman na.”
The public forum on “Civic Assembly on Accountability and Good Governance” was held in the Media Room at 8F CCFC Building, Ateneo de Davao University, on February 14.