‘Kadiri ang Korapsyon’: Youth Groups Launch Youth Against Kurakot in Response to the Scandalous Flood Control Scam

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In the wake of the trillion-peso flood control scam that laid bare the brazen misuse of taxpayer money, Youth Against Kurakot (YaK!) was launched today to spearhead the fight against corruption and reclaim it as both morally repulsive and politically indefensible. The coalition vowed to channel the anger and disgust of the Filipino people, especially the youth, against the shameless corruption festering in government and the private sector.

The launch brought together a wide range of youth formations, including Akbayan Youth, the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP), Liberal Youth, Kilos Ko Youth, Kaya Natin Youth, Bulakenyo for Good Governance, and PANTAY, along with student councils from across the country.

“Corruption should make us cringe, not shrug. We, the youth, are here to make sure that greed and abuse of power are met with outrage, not silence or indifference,” said YaK! Co-Convenor and Akbayan Secretary General Khylla Meneses.

She added: “Hindi tayo dapat masanay na ginagawang bottomless ATM ang kaban ng bayan para gastusan ang luho ng mga kurakot.

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The coalition stressed that today’s culture of impunity can be traced back to the Duterte administration, when he appeared untouchable despite grave violations of the law and the Constitution, emboldening politicians to act with the same brazenness in their corruption.

YaK! Co-Convenor and SCAP Secretary General Matthew Silverio warned contractors and politicians involved in the scam: “Akala yata ng mga tusong contractor at ng mga kurakot na pulitiko ay makakatakas sila sa pananagutan. Nagkakamali sila. Kung si Digong nga nakulong, pano pa kaya sila? Gaya ng ragasa ng baha na sumira sa ating bayan, raragasa rin ang bilang ng mga taong magpoprotesta para maningil.”

Also present in the launching are good governance champions Heidi Mendoza, Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña, and Akbayan President Rafaela David to support the launching of the youth coalition.

For his part, Akbayan Partylist Rep. Perci Cendaña welcomed the public outrage against the massive corruption surrounding DPWH flood control projects. Rep. Cendaña urged citizens, especially young people, to step up the pressure on the government to ensure that the anti-corruption probes are comprehensive.

“Magandang panimula yung outrage na pinakikita ng mga mamamayan sa lantarang pangungurakot ng mga dorobong contractors at public officials na kasabwat nila. But online anger should translate to public and civic action,” according to Rep. Cendaña.

“More pressure and more protests alongside active civic engagement are needed. Kita naman natin na saka lang umaksyon ang concerned government bodies kung kailan tumindi ang pambabatikos,” Rep. Cendaña added.

YaK! vowed that this is only the beginning of a nationwide campaign to end corruption. The youth coalition announced that they will push for Anti-Corruption Bills to protect taxpayers’ money, organize a Ghost (Project) Hunting Field Trip to to encourage young people to actively monitor government projects for red flags, and rally to the streets to hound the government for accountability and transparency.