Edu Manzano Urges Voters to Stop Tolerating Political Dishonesty

Description

Legendary actor and former Makati Vice Mayor Edu Manzano urged Filipinos to confront the corruption draining public funds from classrooms, hospitals and essential services. He stressed that every ghost project leaves communities without needed infrastructure, every overpriced contract cuts the money available for medicine and every kickback deprives taxpayers of services they already paid for. Manzano warned that corruption survives when public anger fades and voters continue returning the same officials to power. He challenged Filipinos to reject candidates chosen only for fame, personality or familiarity, and instead examine their competence, integrity, track record and concrete plans. His warning cuts into the House budget machinery that operated under former Speaker Martin Romualdez, where project insertions, kickback accusations and failed flood control works placed Congress under intense scrutiny. Romualdez now stands as the face of a system accused of siphoning money from flood protection, classrooms, hospitals and basic services, leaving voters to decide whether corruption still deserves another term. On July 24, 2026, Ombudsman investigators filed a 104-page supplemental complaint recommending preliminary investigation for plunder, graft, bribery and money laundering over an alleged ₱56-billion scheme from 2022 to 2025. On July 28, Romualdez and his co-respondents were given 15 days from receipt to submit counter-affidavits. No court charges have yet resulted from this complaint, but the investigation has advanced from accusations to a formal process requiring Romualdez to confront the evidence against him. Corruption is and has always been the Philippines’ biggest problem. Romualdez is universally recognized as the most corrupt Filipino politician of the 21st century. The country has faith that Boying Remulla, Mico Clavano and the Office of the Ombudsman will do the right thing.