The United People Against Corruption (UPAC) announced on October 7 its plan to file an indemnity class suit against congressmen, contractors, and government officials involved in the anomalous Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) flood control projects. According to the alliance, they seeks to ensure three things: accountability, justice, and compensation for the victims of negligence and corruption.

The complaints of families and communities repeatedly affected by floods clarified that not only billions of pesos in public funds were squandered, but even people’s lives, homes, and livelihoods were gambled away in exchange for kickbacks and plunder. In recent weeks, the names of politicians and contractors involved in these anomalies have been exposed one after another.

The depth and breadth of systemic and systematic corruption in all levels and corners of the state bureaucracy have been revealed. Congressional and Senate hearings uncovered the collusion among Malacañang, congressmen, senators, contractors, and DPWH officials, as well as the Commission on Audit and banks, to siphon off and pocket billions in public funds. The hearings also revealed the padding of project costs, use of substandard materials, non-completion of projects, and reporting of non-existent or ghost projects.

According to UPAC, among the first to be charged are four congressmen from Quezon City who have direct involvement in anomalous projects in their respective districts. The group named first district representative Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde; former fourth district representative Marvin Rillo; fifth district’s Patrick Michael “PM” Vargas; and sixth district’s Marivic Co-Pilar.

UPAC will also indict several lawmakers and high-ranking government officials who allegedly benefited from widespread corruption in flood control projects. UPAC named former Senate President Francis Joseph “Chiz” Escudero; incumbent and former senators Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada Jr., Emmanuel Joel Villanueva, Mark Villar, Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Alan Peter Cayetano, Rodante D. Marcoleta, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., and Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay; former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez; Rep. Jose “Zaldy” Co; as well as district engineers, contractors, and local officials who profited from the anomaly, among others.

“This corruption can no longer be tolerated. While the people repetedly sink in floods, these officials enrich themselves with kickbacks,” UPAC spokesperson Dr. Malou Turalde said. She stated that these officials must not only face imprisonment but also pay damages to the families they have harmed.

“This Indemnity Class Suit serves as a warning that all those involved in plunder will be held liable. No one is safe, no one can escape!” Turalde declared. UPAC will seek ₱1–₱5 billion in damages related to the case. If the case is won, the amount will be divided among the sectors included in the class suit.

UPAC explained that the plan to file the case arose from the hesitant, uncertain, and compromised investigations conducted by the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the Malacañang created Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) concerning corruption.

UPAC called on affected families, organizations, and citizens to join in pushing for justice and accountability in the use of public funds. The group’s call: “All those involved must be held accountable!”