After Discaya compound, protesters vs flood corruption target Batasan

MANILA, Philippines — Protesters from different groups clashed briefly yesterday with the police, after hurling plastic bags filled with paint at a tarpaulin resembling project contract details in front of the Batasang Pambansa complex in Quezon City.

The protest action took place during a hearing – chaired by Nueva Ecija Rep. Mikaela Suansing of the House committee on appropriations – on the proposed P881-billion 2026 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

“Bulok na kongresista ikulong, ikulong,” the protesters chanted.

The Quezon City Police District’s riot control unit chased away the protesters after some of the paint splashed onto the officers.

The protesters also threw stones and other objects at the Batasan complex before evading the police.

Police dispersed the crowd shortly after the incident. No injuries or arrests were reported.

The protest was organized by groups under the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, which assailed what they called failed flood control projects awarded to private contractors. 

Meanwhile, more than 100 members of progressive groups’ Youth Against Kurakot (YaK!), Akbayan party-list and allied organizations staged a protest outside the headquarters of St. Gerrard Construction in Pasig yesterday, denouncing the alleged “ghost” projects of the company and demanding accountability from contractor couple Sarah and Curlee Discaya and their supposed government connections.

Protesters carried placards, waved banners and chanted slogans to call attention to what they described as a trillion-peso flood control scam.

“There are so many ghost projects that continue to haunt us. We must identify and hold accountable certified thieves like the Discayas, who are openly stealing the future of the youth,” said Khylla Meneses, Akbayan Youth secretary-general and YaK! co-convenor.

Akbayan president Rafaela David said the Discayas represent only part of a deeper network of corruption.

“The Discaya syndicate is just a symptom of a larger web of corruption. We must ask: who are their accomplices? Who profits while Filipinos suffer? All their links to public officials must be exposed, rooted out and brought to justice,” David said.

She also called on authorities to freeze the assets of the Discayas and other contractors involved. 

Pasig police chief Col. Hendrix Mangaldan said the protest ended peacefully. — Mark Ernest Villeza