“As we work hard abroad with most of us struggling for survival, the corrupt public officials and their co-conspirator private contractors freely squander the people’s money. Our taxes, our remittances, and our hard work should serve the Filipino people, not line the pockets of the powerful.”

TORONTO – Filipino progressives stand against corruption, impunity at the launch of Taumbayan Ayaw sa Magnanakaw at Abusado (TAMA NA) coalition in Toronto last Saturday, November 1. 

According to the coalition’s unity statement, it is time the overwhelming majority of the people assert their power by transforming the corrupt system that is unresponsive to their just demands into a truly democratic and people-oriented system.

The coalition, composed of Filipino migrant workers, youth and progressives based in Canada emphasized that as their families struggle through floods, disasters, and poverty, hundreds of billions of pesos are stolen by corrupt public officials and private contractors through ghost projects and failed flood control programs.

“As we work hard abroad with most of us struggling for survival, the corrupt public officials and their co-conspirator private contractors freely squander the people’s money. Our taxes, our remittances, and our hard work should serve the Filipino people, not line the pockets of the powerful,” the statement read. 

Corruption transcends borders 

Human rights lawyer and former Bayan Muna congressman Neri Colmenares in his keynote address during the launch emphasized that migrant workers play an important role in the Philippine economy thus being involved in the fight against corruption is a must. 

“A lot of taxes being stolen are from Filipinos abroad. All the remittances sent to the Philippines are used for goods that are all taxed. You contribute a lot [taxes] there and you have all the rights to complain. OFWs and migrant workers have the right to demand an end to corruption,” Colmenares said. 

Based on allocations from the 2023 to 2025 General Appropriations Act and a study by the Office of Senator Panfilo Lacson, around P197 billion in flood control funds may have been lost annually to corruption. Money that could have supported social services, healthcare, and education, and helped Filipinos avoid being forced to seek work abroad.

Apol Apuntar of Koalisyong Makabayan stressed that corruption fuels forced migration.

“Filipino migrants go abroad in the hope of earning more to support their families because of the lack of opportunities in the Philippines. The migration of Filipinos abroad is driven by the crisis in the Philippines. If we had good opportunities in the Philippines, I believe we wouldn’t leave the country—we wouldn’t make such sacrifices or be separated from our families just to meet their needs,” Apuntar said in Filipino. 

He added, “This is why we should not separate the struggle of Filipino migrants from the struggle of the people in the Philippines. We, Filipino migrants, also experience oppression here in Canada.” 

(“Ang mga migranteng pilipino ay nangingibang bayan nagbabaka sakali na kumita ng malaki para masuportahan ang kanilang pamilya dahil sa kakulangan ng opportunities sa pilipinas. Ang pag migrate ng mga Filipinos abroad ay itinutulak ng krisis sa Pilipinas. Kung meron tayong magandang opportunities sa pilipinas sa palagay ko ay hindi tayo aalis ng bansa, hindi tayo magsasakripisyo, hindi tayo lalayo sa ating pamilya para lang may maitugon sa pangangailangan ng ating pamilya. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit hindi dapat natin ihiwalay ang laban nating mga migranteng pilipino sa laban ng mga mamamayan sa Pilipinas. Tayong mga migranteng pilipino ay nakakaranas din ng opresyon dito sa Canada,” Apuntar said.)

He also spoke about the recent crackdown on migrant workers, including raids in Calgary, Alberta and Victoria, British Columbia, which has an effect on Filipino migrants. According to Apuntar, the number of undocumented workers continues to rise due to changing immigration rules.

“Those of us who are here also experience oppression so we must strengthen our solidarity even more. Let us unite with the struggle of the people in the Philippines so that the time will come when no Filipino will be forced to go abroad just to provide for their family’s needs.” (“Tayong mga nandirito ay nakakaranas din ng opresyon, kaya mas lalo nating pag-igihin ang pagkakapit-bisig. Magkaisa tayo sa laban ng mga mamamayan sa Pilipinas para dumating ang panahon na wala nang Pilipinong mapipilitang mangibang-bayan para lamang matugunan ang pangangailangan ng pamilya.”)

Apuntar highlighted that this is the reason why the TAMA NA coalition is important. However, he said, it should not stop here. 

“We must continue to participate, mobilize, and assert that we want to end corruption in the Philippines, so that the day will come when no Filipino is forced to migrate abroad just to send remittances home to sustain their family.”

The coalition calls to defend the people’s interests: the national budget must serve the people, not elites and corporations. 

They also urged the upholding of justice and democracy, stating that no government official should be above the law and corruption must face accountability. The coalition also promotes alternatives by pushing for progressive taxes, better social services, and people-centered development. Lastly, the coalition called for the building of a national movement to turn public outrage into organized action against systemic corruption. (AMU, RTS)