When Corruption Becomes Our Daily Flood

There are days when I feel like I can’t breathe—not because of the actual floodwaters rising around us, but because of the disgusting corruption that has become so normal in this country that it’s practically an Olympic sport. And you know what? I’m tired. Absolutely sickened.

Because while the rest of us are knee-deep in muddy water, bailing buckets just to keep our homes from drowning, there are people living in obscene luxury. Champagne glasses clinking in air-conditioned palaces while ordinary Filipinos literally wade through garbage-filled floods. It makes me want to scream.

And I can’t help but think back. Back to the one time in my life when I truly felt proud to be a Filipino: when Rodrigo Duterte was our president. Yes, people have their opinions. Some loved him, some hated him, some never forgave him for certain things. But this—this is my story. My experience. And during his time, I finally felt that the Philippines had a leader who wasn’t afraid to rattle cages and actually put Filipinos first.

And I can’t help but think back. Back to the one time in my life when I truly felt proud to be a Filipino: when Rodrigo Duterte was our president.

Now? I can barely look at the news without feeling betrayed. And let me be brutally honest here: the ONLY thing I will ever regret in my voting history is putting BBM into power. And I’ll admit it—it wasn’t even really for him. It was because of Sara Duterte. I thought, maybe that tandem could hold. Maybe they could continue the fight. But the world saw what happened. That betrayal still stings like salt on an open wound.

So here I am, drowning in frustration and rage, saying what so many are thinking but are too afraid to say: Marcos should step down.

I stand for a country that doesn’t deserve this endless cycle of corruption, betrayal, and decay. And when I supported the Dutertes, it wasn’t about fandom—it was about survival. About dignity. About wanting to feel proud of being Filipino again. Also because I am PRO-FILIPINO.

But here we are. Flooded not only by water, but by greed.

And the saddest part? It feels like the only ones truly fighting for this country are the ones with the least power to change it. The rest just cash in on our suffering.

So yes, I’m disgusted. And no, I’m not sorry for saying it.