Various groups of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in Hong Kong launched coordinated protests against corruption in the Philippines on September 14. Members of Migrante Hong Kong, Abra Tingguian Ilocano Society-Hong Kong, and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Hong Kong launched a protest called “Zum-baha ng protesta laban sa korapsyon!” at Statue Square in Central District at 9 a.m., at Charter Road at 1 p.m., and at Bus 13/City Hall at 3 p.m. “Zum-baha” is a portmanteau of zumba and the Filipino word for flood.

United Filipinos in Hong Kong (Unifil-Migrante Hong Kong), Abra Tingguian Ilocano Society-Hong Kong, One2Win coalition, Social Justice, Migrante Hong Kong, and Bayan-Hong Kong also launched a protest on the same day outside the Philippine Consulate at 10 a.m. At the end of the program, Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) Head Vice Consul George Mariano A. Soriano of the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong received the migrants’ Community Statement to forward it to Malacanang, Congress, and the Senate.

The groups were infuriated by the widespread corruption of politicians and their accomplices in the DPWH and the private sector in the flood control projects. Instead of providing full service to the people and protection for OFWs, funds were lost to thieves.

“OFWs are forced to pay all kinds of fees such as OWWA, PhilHealth, SSS, Pag-IBIG, OFW insurance, and others, yet they struggle to obtain these aid and services when needed because of numerous and difficult processes. OWWA even repeatedly claims that the agency’s services are ‘limited’ by meager funds. Then the funds that OFWs toiled for only end up in corruption?” Migrante Hong Kong furiously stated.

In 2024, the Philippine government earned US$38.34 billion from OFW remittances, which was 3% higher compared to 2023. According to the groups, this was the result of the worsening export of Filipinos under the US-Marcos regime, compelled by the country’s intensifying unemployment.

“The Marcos government must address the basic needs of Filipinos in housing, food, education, hospitals, and social services. These must be free and not difficult to provide to those in need. Use the people’s money for the people, not lip service and half-hearted responses to issues,” Migrante Hong Kong explained.

“We will continue to pressure the Marcos government, the Congress, and the Senate to deliver justice to the people victimized by plunderers. Down with bureaucrat capitalism! Now is the time to change the prevailing system in government!” the groups added.