Dannyka Manangan

Bianca Gonzalez reflects on message from 2013 Million People March and its relevance today

Article (news)

E. Kristhoff Cagape

Push Team

<p>Bianca Gonzalez looked back on her experience joining the 2013 rally against the pork barrel fund scam, sharing a photo she captured during the Million People March at Luneta.</p><p>The photo shows a masked man holding a poster that read: &quot;The people should not be afraid of their government. It’s the government who should be afraid of their people.&quot;</p><p>Reflecting on its relevance today, Bianca wrote: &quot;Over a decade later, this photo remains relevant. I took this at the Million People March at Luneta during the pork barrel fund scam in 2013. And now in 2025, eto na naman tayo.&quot;</p><p>The television host also opened up about why she chooses to hold on to hope despite ongoing issues of corruption in the government.</p><p>&quot;Someone asked me recently, how do I not lose hope? Ang hirap to not feel helpless, when those supposed to defend and protect us, sila pa ang nagpapahirap, nanloloko, nanlilinlang sa taumbayan. But despite everything, I choose to still keep the hope alive. Because what other choice do we have? Filipinos definitely deserve better,&quot; she remarked.  </p><div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DOtGYUviVhT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link"></a></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-6" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DOtGYUviVhT/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A6%2C%22os%22%3A8883936.2%2C%22ls%22%3A119382.20000000019%2C%22le%22%3A119386.79999999981%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="857" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-6" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Bianca has been vocal about her dismay over corruption linked to flood-control projects.</p><p>Previously, she took to social media to raise a pointed question about accountability for large-scale corruption, noting how swiftly those who commit smaller crimes are punished.</p><p>On her X (formerly Twitter) page, the television host and social advocate posted: &quot;Kung ang nagnakaw ng de latang walang isang daang piso para sa gutom na pamilya ay nahuli at nakulong, anong parusa ang naghihintay at maaasahan nating mga mamamayan sa mga opisyal na bilyones ang kinurakot sa kaban ng bayan?&quot;</p><p>In another post, Bianca also called out the children of corrupt officials who flaunt their extravagant lifestyles online, while many Filipinos struggle to make ends meet.</p><p>&quot;My feed filled with posts on the lavish lifestyle of kids of corrupt officials.... and here we are, mga walang generational wealth o nakaw na yaman, na kumakayod araw araw, na minsa&#x27;y nahihiya pa magpost ng travel o ng nabili kasi baka &#x27;mayabang&#x27; ang dating 😳 paano ba to,&quot; she wrote.</p><p>On August 11 during a press conference, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. questioned why only 15 contractors managed to corner 20 percent of nearly 10,000 flood projects since 2022, noting that more than half failed to provide details on what structures were being built. He also pointed out suspiciously uniform project costs despite varying locations and terrain, and the concentration of projects in areas not considered highly flood prone.</p><p>On August 19, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) admitted there were &quot;ghost&quot; flood control projects and vowed to investigate them.</p><p>Malacañang announced on August 27 that the president has ordered lifestyle checks on all government officials, starting with those in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).</p><p>&quot;Ipinag-utos ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ang pagkakaroon ng lifestyle check sa lahat ng mga opisyal sa gitna ng imbestigasyon patungkol sa maanomalyang flood control projects,&quot; Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said. </p>

<p>Amid the corruption issues in the government, Bianca Gonzalez says, 'Filipinos definitely deserve better.' </p>

Amid the corruption issues in the government, Bianca Gonzalez says, 'Filipinos definitely deserve better.'