Veteran actor and TV host Edu Manzano, who is set to turn 70 on September 14, marked his milestone birthday with more than just humor and fitness flexes—he also delivered a pointed reminder to fellow Filipinos about accountability in governance.
Posting a photo of himself holding an umbrella, Edu joked: “Turning 70 in a few days pero fit, still on fire, may dumbbell, may rower, at s’yempre, savage tito n’yo… At may payong pang-cover ng corruption, este ulan.”
But alongside the playful tone, Edu used his platform to speak directly to taxpayers, stressing that public funds belong to the people.
“Mga ka-taxpayer, tandaan n’yo ‘to, wala talagang ‘pera ng gobyerno.’ Pera nating lahat ‘yan!” he declared.
He explained that every Filipino contributes, no matter how small, and therefore has a stake in ensuring government accountability.
“Kaya bawat proyekto, bawat serbisyo, invested tayo d’yan. Sulitin natin, bantayan natin. Obligasyon nila, pero responsibilidad din nating magtanong at mag-demand ng tama,” Edu said.
Even ordinary purchases, he pointed out, already make one part of the system: “At oo, kahit bumili ka lang ng suka, asin, toyo, o nagbayad ng tubig, taxpayer ka na rin. Akala ng iba, ‘pag wala silang trabaho, wala silang ambag. Pero lahat ng namomroblema sa araw-araw, lahat ng bumibili ng makakain, kasama ka sa mga taxpayer.”
He ended with a call for solidarity across social classes: “Hindi lang ‘to tungkol sa mayayaman o empleyado… lahat tayo ay magkakasama sa laban na ‘to.”
Edu’s post comes as the country grapples with controversy surrounding alleged anomalies in the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) flood control projects.
