MANILA, Philippines – After a comedy skit grew to become one of the memorable commentaries on corruption, leisure figures have rallied on-line to lift their voices for the struggle in opposition to corruption.
Within the newest Bubble Gang episode, Michael V’s spoof character Ciala Dismaya, a satirical poke at controversial flood management undertaking determine Sarah Discaya, referred to the continued corruption scandal.
However political satire goes past laughs — it’s one other method for Filipinos to name out politicians by way of comedy and on-line memes. From pictures to movies and even TikTok skits, all eyes are on the present probe.
Celebrities and personalities have fueled this momentum by posting their very own highly effective statements on-line and placing themselves within the sneakers of strange Filipinos. They, too, have expressed disappointment over how these initiatives — meant to guard the individuals — have as an alternative turn out to be the topic of corruption.
Two rallies will probably be held on September 21 to sentence the mess in authorities: the student-led “Baha sa Luneta: Aksyon na Laban sa Korapsyon” at 9 am at Luneta Park, and the “Trillion Peso March” organized by Catholic and Protestant leaders at 2 pm on the Individuals Energy Monument in EDSA.
It’s no coincidence that the protest falls on the 53rd anniversary of Martial Regulation declared by Ferdinand Marcos Sr., father of the present president. The situation itself additionally calls again to the 1986 EDSA Individuals Energy Revolution that ousted the Marcos household all these years in the past.
Right here’s how celebrities within the showbiz trade are utilizing their platforms to face with the individuals in opposition to corruption in authorities. From one-liners to emotional statements, they remind their followers and followers that corruption isn’t nearly stolen funds, however about stolen futures.
On thought items and uncooked feelings
Some personalities had been straight to the purpose with their statements, selecting readability and honesty in reacting to what’s occurring within the political local weather. Phrases like kurakot, magnanakaw, and korapsyon weren’t misplaced on them as they voiced their disappointment and stood with the Filipino individuals’s struggle for good governance.
Former Pinoy Huge Brother host and TV character Bianca Gonzalez captured this sentiment in a single put up on X, summing it up completely inside 280 characters:
“Nakakapanlumo ang pangungurakot ng buwis na binabayaran natin… habang kumakayod ka, might mga nasa posisyon na imbis na pinapagaan ang buhay ng mga mamamayan, ay pinapabigat pa lalo.”
(It’s miserable to see the corruption of the taxes we pay… Regardless that you like your job, it makes you surprise if all of the exhausting work is price it when these in energy solely make life heavier for the individuals.)
Content material creator and singer Donnalyn Bartolome additionally selected a world stage to carry up the difficulty. After profitable Finest Content material Creator on the 2025 Septimius Awards, she used her acceptance speech to acknowledge the Philippines’ struggles with fixed typhoons and flooding.
“I’m deeply honored to be awarded tonight… however I wish to share with you one of the heartbreaking points we face again residence — the floods,” she mentioned in her Instagram reel of the second.
Donnalyn spoke about how flooding continues to displace households and declare lives yearly, urging each leaders and residents to step up.
“Yearly, communities are displaced and lives are misplaced. It’s a cycle we’ve been caught in for much too lengthy. Whereas we hope and proceed to push for our authorities to do higher with flood management methods, we’re additionally taking actions into our personal palms by planting bushes and bamboo,” she mentioned.
She ended her speech with a reminder to champion good governance.
Not so ‘refined’
It takes a variety of guts for celebrities to place out precise statements on social media, particularly with the chance of being focused for backlash and criticism from those that might agree or disagree with their factors.
Celebrities are sometimes anticipated to keep up a sure public picture, however it turns into more durable to remain quiet when their very own fanbases and constant supporters are struggling underneath the burden of nationwide points.
Actor and former politician Edu Manzano reveals no concern, posting AI-generated memes of himself poking enjoyable at authorities officers and the present probe. The previous Pilipinas, Sport KNB? host has lengthy been vocal — he beforehand confirmed help for Naga Metropolis Mayor Leni Robredo throughout her 2022 presidential run, and even went viral for criticizing his former vice presidential rival Jejomar “Jojo” Binay over corruption allegations.
Comic-host Vice Ganda can be taking up these points, not simply on social media however on nationwide tv. Because the day by day host of It’s Showtime, Vice has turn out to be identified not just for her comedic but thought-provoking MMFF movies like Sisterakas and And the Breadwinner Is… but in addition for weaving basic political commentary into her internet hosting.
In a current phase, Vice shared the story of Ronron, a 21-year-old guide laborer who stopped going to high school at 14 to help his dad and mom. By means of Ronron’s expertise, she referred to as out corruption in authorities:
“Ito ang mga taong ninanakawan natin. Ang korupsyon ay hindi lamang pagnanakaw ng salapi ng bayan. Ito ay pagnanakaw ng pag-asa at ito ay pagnanakaw ng pangarap. At maraming tao na ang namatay dahil sa pagnanakaw niyo ng pondo ng bayan.”
(We steal from individuals like Ronron. Corruption isn’t simply stealing the individuals’s cash. It’s stealing hope and goals. And lots of have already died due to the federal government’s misuse of funds.)
Radio present host Sam YG additionally jabs on the present challenge by calling on everybody to “cease paying taxes until the federal government will get its act collectively,” stating that the likes of the Discaya couple and the daughter of co-founder of Hello-Tone Development and Improvement, Claudine Co are flaunting their luxurious life-style on the expense of the Filipino taxpayers.
“Baka pwedeng tax break muna?” he mentioned in an Interaksyon interview.
His put up shortly gained traction, with fellow celebrities Julie Anne San Jose, Aga Muhlach, Dennis Trillo, and Rocco Nacino displaying help within the feedback.
“What is occurring to the world in the present day?!” Actor Dingdong Dantes didn’t mince phrases as he joined voices denouncing corruption within the Philippines. Calling it “the vilest controversy of our time,” Dantes mentioned it stands alongside wars, protests, and political turmoil throughout the globe.
Watching the corruption hearings along with his spouse, actress Marian Rivera, he admitted they had been left shaken. “What sort of future will our kids inherit? Will they develop up in a society that values reality, integrity, and compassion, or one which normalizes deceit and greed?”
The actor confessed to feelings he not often reveals in public. “Aaminin ko (I’ve to confess)… I’ve by no means felt so disillusioned, anxious, disturbed, and indignant . Not simply because I now know the taxes I’ve paid have been ‘performed’ with (pun supposed), however as a result of the very establishments meant to safe our future can also be the identical ones denying it to our kids.”
Dantes in contrast corruption to the autumn of Walter White in Breaking Dangerous. “I see the reflection of our personal technology, risking the identical decay.”
“We informed ourselves it was regular. We satisfied ourselves it was inevitable. However it isn’t regular. And it ought to by no means be,” he mentioned, hoping Filipinos wouldn’t develop desensitized to what’s occurring.
On the core of his assertion was a name to motion. “Dialogue is essential, however it should result in motion. And that motion begins with accountability. These entrusted with accountability should be held to the best commonplace… to not serve themselves, however to decide on what is true.”
Clapping again
Some celebrities have additionally used their very own viral moments to “clap again” at haters, with TV host and actress Kim Chiu not too long ago discovering herself within the sizzling seat.
Throughout an episode of It’s Showtime, Filipino band IV of Spades appeared to advertise their new tune “Konsensya” forward of their second album Andalucia, set for launch in November. Kim unintentionally mispronounced the group’s identify, saying the letters “I-V” as an alternative of the Roman numeral “4.”
This triggered followers of the band to poke enjoyable on the actress on social media for not being conscious of who they had been. Days later, after the episode’s broadcast, the actress went on X to talk up in regards to the incident and added her personal two cents as to why the mispronunciation challenge shouldn’t be the principle focus of the Filipino individuals.
“Let me simply clear this out. Bilang mahilig ata tong acct na to sa ‘clout’. Trustworthy mistake, diko talaga sila kilala. Kung naitama ko yung pangalan nila. Might magbabago ba? Mababalik ba satin yung ninakaw na TAX natin? I believe there’s far more [problems] in PH now,” she wrote.
“This would be the final time I reply this. Proper now, there are far larger issues in our nation and even in our personal lives than nitpicking on small issues like this. Mas kailangan ng bansa natn ang boses mo doon, sa tunay na laban, sa tunay na problema, sa tunay na kalaban. Pare pareho tayong lumaban sa buhay ng patas.”
(Let me simply clear this out, as a result of this account is attracting “clout.” Trustworthy mistake, I don’t actually know them or if I mentioned their identify proper. Will something change? Will our stolen taxes be returned? I believe there are far more issues within the PH now. This would be the final time I reply this.
Proper now, there are far larger issues in our nation and even in our personal lives than nitpicking on small issues like this. Your voices are wanted extra in the true struggle, in the true downside of the nation, and in the true enemy. We’re all combating for equality.)
Content material creator household Crew Kramer additionally took a quick pause from their on-line profession to spotlight the stacks of cash that had been present in former DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara’s non-public constructing, simply close to his workplace.
“Our taxes are supposed to construct a safer, extra resilient nation, to not line the pockets of corrupt officers. This type of theft robs our communities of the essential infrastructure they should survive. We deserve higher. We deserve accountability, integrity, and leaders who prioritize the welfare of the individuals over private acquire,” the household wrote.
Regardless of the various cases the place celebrities may have stored to themselves about what’s occurring in politics proper now, they’re as an alternative selecting to take a stand.
Their voices don’t simply defend their very own office — they echo the frustrations of followers who’ve supported them since day one. They’re reminding each the general public and people in energy that corruption isn’t only a political challenge, however a human one. – Rappler.com
Juliana Chloe Gonzales is a Rappler intern finding out AB Communication Arts at De La Salle College.
