31/10/2025
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BqRzYMTxD/
PRESS RELEASE
Filipinos in Hong Kong Form Broad Coalition to Demand Transparency and Accountability in Government
A broad coalition of Filipinos in Hong Kong has been formed to demand transparency, accountability, and justice in government spending. The new alliance, called Filipinos Against Corruption and Impunity (Fil-ACTION HK Network), brings together migrant workers, educators, students, journalists, church people, health workers, and community advocates are determined to speak out against large-scale corruption in the Philippines.
The coalition was formed amid growing outrage over fraudulent flood-control and infrastructure corruption that have cost billions of pesos in public funds. Participants from various organizations and sectors said that while overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) continue to send remittances that sustain the economy, they and their families suffer from poor social services, lack of social protection and a government that shields corrupt officials from accountability.
Fil-ACTION HK emphasized that corruption is just a symptom of deeper structural problems of Philippine society, and it is rooted in a system of governance that only privileges the few. The group outlined its Basis of Unity as follows:
• Transparency in governance: Expose the list of officials implicated in corruption. Mandate the disclosure of their Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) and bank account information to ensure transparency. Publicly disclose the names of contractors and suppliers involved in such projects. Make all contracts publicly accessible online and revoke the licenses of engineers and professionals implicated in fraudulent activities.
• Accountability: Ensure the swift removal, accountability, and imprisonment of all individuals involved in fraudulent flood-control projects and other corrupt practices.
Implement a lifetime ban on these individuals from running for public office, encompassing all branches of government and military personnel.
• Abolition of all pork barrel and confidential funds: Abolish all forms of pork barrel, as well as secret, intelligence, and confidential funds. Disband the "small group" responsible for budget insertions in the national budget to prevent misuse of funds.
• Restitution and reallocation of embezzled funds: Demand the restitution of all funds stolen from the people’s coffers. These financial resources should be reallocated to basic social services such as education, health, and housing.
Additionally, freeze the bank accounts of those implicated until full accountability is achieved.
• End political dynasties: Assert the creation of an enabling law to implement the constitutional provision against political dynasties from the local to the national levels.
Fil-ACTION HK acknowledged the cases filed against Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara, former Assistant District Engineer Brice Hernandez, DPWH Construction Section chief John Michael Ramos, Planning and Design Section chief Ernesto Galang, other employees of Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office, private contractors Sarah Discaya, Ma. Angeline Rimando, Sally Santos, Mark Allan Arevalo and Robert Imperio. The coalition also welcomed the recommendation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to file criminal and administrative cases against Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva, resigned congressman Zaldy Co, Commission on Audit Commissioner Mario Lipana, former lawmaker Mitch Cajayon-Uy, and former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo. However, as long as prosecution of those accountable remains elusive, these developments are not enough to appease the anger of the Filipino people. The call for accountability among public officials involved in the anomalous flood control projects and other corrupt practices in the government remains strong and will continue to grow.
As its first major action, Fil-ACTION HK will hold a community event and a protest on November 30, 2025, Bonifacio Day. The program will include a speak-out, community services (e.g. free massage, blood pressure and glucose checks) and information desks, along with creative protest activities like poetry reading, community singing and a “Zumbaha” dance against corruption. Visual displays will feature timelines and figures of those implicated in corruption cases while participants can join interactive activities such as a community wall and photobooth.
The Bonifacio Day event will be a space for Filipinos in Hong Kong to channel their anger and solidarity. We are joining millions of Filipinos back home who are calling for truth and accountability. Bonifacio’s struggle for freedom continues today. But this time, it is a fight against corruption that robs Filipino people of their dignity.
Fil-ACTION HK vowed to sustain its campaign through education, dialogue, and collective action, building a stronger mass movement of overseas Filipinos committed to democratic governance.
For reference, please contact:
Dolores Balladares (Migrant Worker) 852- 9747 2986
Sister Neneth Diño (RGS) 852- 9854 2347
Jose Monfred Sy – (HKU- Youth and Student) 852- 5775 1842
