Former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson has urged the Filipino youth to take the lead in a “peaceful revolt” against corruption, branding the Marcos administration as weak and ineffective in addressing alleged anomalies in multi-billion peso flood control projects.
At a press conference held Thursday at Club Filipino in San Juan, Singson said investigations should begin in Ilocos Norte — the home province of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. — where questionable flood control contracts were allegedly awarded to known contractors.
“The St. Matthew Construction, St. Gerrard Construction, St. Timothy Construction, and Alpha and Omega Construction are the contractors in Ilocos Norte. That’s why I am wondering why they don’t know about this,” he said, referring to companies reportedly linked to controversial contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya. “Let’s not go far, they should investigate that right there.”
Calling the government “rotten,” Singson likened it to “a dilapidated vehicle” beyond repair. “Even if you overhaul it, even if you replace the parts, it’s still the same. That’s why we need a brand new one,” he said, stressing that while the Philippines has good laws, “the implementation is bad.”
He urged students to boycott classes until corrupt officials resign. “This is just my suggestion to students and student leaders — if they really want to — do not attend classes until the corrupt officials in our government step down,” he said, adding that protests in the streets could put participants at risk of violence.
Singson also appealed to members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to allow their children to join demonstrations to help ensure safety.
The longtime political kingpin, who played a pivotal role in the 2001 ouster of former President Joseph Estrada, did not mince words about Marcos Jr. “Why is he only speaking up now when this issue has been around for a long time? It’s because he is weak. He is a weak president,” Singson said. “If the President does not know the budget insertion, he is a useless president. If he had delicadeza, he should have stopped it.”
On the recent leadership change in the House of Representatives, Singson described new Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III as “a good person” but dismissed it as cosmetic. “He is the same dog with a different collar. Even if they change the House speaker 10 times, there is no change. The public has already lost their trust in the government of Marcos. They’re the same people, so nothing will change.”
Singson, once a close ally of Marcos, said their relationship soured after the president allegedly developed “amnesia” and forgot about his political and financial support during the 2022 elections. “Bongbong wouldn’t have become president if not for me; you can ask him yourself,” he said.
Despite the controversy surrounding his remarks, Singson emphasized that his call was not about political colors but about national unity. “This is the time for no political colors. Let’s join together to get rid of corrupt officials,” he said. “Let’s just replace all the corrupt government officials.”
