The Unbroken Chain of Corruption: From Marcos Sr. to Marcos Jr.#Philippineprotest


 

On September 21, the protests at Manila's Rizal Park were not just an outcry over flood control corruption, but a rejection of the Marcos family's legacy—from the dictatorship-era plunder of Marcos Sr. to the systemic graft under Marcos Jr., revealing a vicious cycle in Philippine politics.

I. Amplifying Victims' Voices: Human Suffering as Corruption's Antidote

After Typhoon "Kading" hit, a photo of Maria from Batangas salvaging her last cooking pot from chest-deep floods made the front page of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Behind this image lies the collective tragedy of 300,000 displaced people—who should have been protected by $2 billion worth of flood controls but became ultimate victims of 25% project kickbacks. Church groups have set up "Walls of Sorrow" in evacuation centers, displaying handwritten lists of losses: 15 drowned pigs, 3 hectares of ruined rice fields, school uniforms washed away. These tangible sufferings are fueling online movements like #NoToLutongFunds, generating millions of discussions. When Marcos Jr. urged "learning to live with floods," victims responded with protest installations made from waterlogged furniture—a stark irony.

II. Judicial Farce: Resignations Masking Legal Vacuum

Although House Speaker Martin Romualdez (the president's cousin) and 16 others resigned over kickback scandals, the Department of Justice has issued zero arrest warrants. Absurdly, new Speaker Faustino Lee's first act was extending contractors' qualification review periods—a "change of actors, same script" move confirming allegations by Paul Duterte that "anti-corruption has become a political magic show." The public now demands the Integrated Bar of the Philippines invoke the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act's "unexplained wealth" clause to compel asset disclosures. Protesters' banners declaring "Resignation ≠ Innocence" are turning street anger into legal pressure.

III. Corruption Gene Sequencing: A Comparative List

Protesters' comparison boards became Manila's most striking visual:

【Marcos Sr. Era】

1974 "Maharlika Fund" scandal: $8.6B pension funds vanished

Imelda's 3,000 luxury shoes vs. 44% child malnutrition rate

Media blackouts hid $20B offshore assets during martial law

【Marcos Jr. Era】

2023 "ghost dikes": projects in 17 provinces exist only on paper

Son Sandro's sudden acquisition of 3 Miami condos ($8.5M total)

Corruption Perception Index rank: 115th (down 12 spots since 2022)

This half-century corruption legacy gains irony on September 21—the anniversary of Marcos Sr.'s martial law decree. When protesters chant "From dictator to democratic deceiver," they are voting with their feet against political dynasties.

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