MANILA, Philippines – After a comedy skit became one of the most memorable commentaries on corruption, entertainment figures have rallied online to raise their voices for the fight against corruption.
In the latest Bubble Gang episode, Michael V’s spoof character Ciala Dismaya, a satirical poke at controversial flood control project figure Sarah Discaya, referred to the ongoing corruption scandal.
But political satire goes beyond laughs — it’s another way for Filipinos to call out politicians through comedy and online memes. From photos to videos and even TikTok skits, all eyes are on the current probe.
Celebrities and personalities have fueled this momentum by posting their own powerful statements online and putting themselves in the shoes of ordinary Filipinos. They, too, have expressed disappointment over how these projects — meant to protect the people — have instead become the subject of corruption.
Two rallies will be held on September 21 to condemn the mess in government: the student-led “Baha sa Luneta: Aksyon na Laban sa Korapsyon” at 9 am at Luneta Park, and the “Trillion Peso March” organized by Catholic and Protestant leaders at 2 pm at the People Power Monument in EDSA.
It’s no coincidence that the protest falls on the 53rd anniversary of Martial Law declared by Ferdinand Marcos Sr., father of the current president. The location itself also calls back to the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution that ousted the Marcos family all those years ago.
Here’s how celebrities in the showbiz industry are using their platforms to stand with the people against corruption in government. From one-liners to emotional statements, they remind their fans and followers that corruption isn’t just about stolen funds, but about stolen futures.
On thought pieces and raw emotions
Some personalities were straight to the point with their statements, choosing clarity and honesty in reacting to what’s happening in the political climate. Words like kurakot, magnanakaw, and korapsyon were not lost on them as they voiced their disappointment and stood with the Filipino people’s fight for good governance.
Former Pinoy Big Brother host and TV personality Bianca Gonzalez captured this sentiment in one post on X, summing it up perfectly within 280 characters:
“Nakakapanlumo ang pangungurakot ng buwis na binabayaran natin… habang kumakayod ka, may mga nasa posisyon na imbis na pinapagaan ang buhay ng mga mamamayan, ay pinapabigat pa lalo.”
(It’s depressing to see the corruption of the taxes we pay… Even though you love your job, it makes you wonder if all the hard work is worth it when those in power only make life heavier for the people.)
Content creator and singer Donnalyn Bartolome also chose a global stage to bring up the issue. After winning Best Content Creator at the 2025 Septimius Awards, she used her acceptance speech to acknowledge the Philippines’ struggles with constant typhoons and flooding.
“I’m deeply honored to be awarded tonight… but I want to share with you one of the most heartbreaking issues we face back home — the floods,” she said in her Instagram reel of the moment.
Donnalyn spoke about how flooding continues to displace families and claim lives every year, urging both leaders and citizens to step up.
“Every year, communities are displaced and lives are lost. It’s a cycle we’ve been stuck in for far too long. While we hope and continue to push for our government to do better with flood control systems, we’re also taking actions into our own hands by planting trees and bamboo,” she said.
She ended her speech with a reminder to champion good governance.
Not so ‘subtle’
It takes a lot of guts for celebrities to put out actual statements on social media, especially with the risk of being targeted for backlash and criticism from those who may agree or disagree with their points.
Celebrities are often expected to maintain a certain public image, but it becomes harder to stay quiet when their own fanbases and loyal supporters are suffering under the weight of national issues.
Actor and former politician Edu Manzano shows no fear, posting AI-generated memes of himself poking fun at government officials and the current probe. The former Pilipinas, Game KNB? host has long been vocal — he previously showed support for Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo during her 2022 presidential run, and even went viral for criticizing his former vice presidential rival Jejomar “Jojo” Binay over corruption allegations.
Comedian-host Vice Ganda is also taking on these issues, not just on social media but on national television. As the daily host of It’s Showtime, Vice has become known not only for her comedic yet thought-provoking MMFF films like Sisterakas and And the Breadwinner Is… but also for weaving general political commentary into her hosting.
In a recent segment, Vice shared the story of Ronron, a 21-year-old manual laborer who stopped going to school at 14 to support his parents. Through Ronron’s experience, she called out corruption in government:
“Ito ang mga taong ninanakawan natin. Ang korupsyon ay hindi lamang pagnanakaw ng salapi ng bayan. Ito ay pagnanakaw ng pag-asa at ito ay pagnanakaw ng pangarap. At maraming tao na ang namatay dahil sa pagnanakaw niyo ng pondo ng bayan.”
(We steal from people like Ronron. Corruption isn’t just stealing the people’s money. It is stealing hope and dreams. And many have already died because of the government’s misuse of funds.)
Radio show host Sam YG also jabs at the current issue by calling on everyone to “stop paying taxes till the government gets its act together,” stating that the likes of the Discaya couple and the daughter of co-founder of Hi-Tone Construction and Development, Claudine Co are flaunting their luxurious lifestyle at the expense of the Filipino taxpayers.
“Baka pwedeng tax break muna?” he said in an Interaksyon interview.
His post quickly gained traction, with fellow celebrities Julie Anne San Jose, Aga Muhlach, Dennis Trillo, and Rocco Nacino showing support in the comments.
“What is happening to the world today?!” Actor Dingdong Dantes didn’t mince words as he joined voices denouncing corruption in the Philippines. Calling it “the vilest controversy of our time,” Dantes said it stands alongside wars, protests, and political turmoil across the globe.
Watching the corruption hearings with his wife, actress Marian Rivera, he admitted they were left shaken. “What kind of future will our children inherit? Will they grow up in a society that values truth, integrity, and compassion, or one that normalizes deceit and greed?”
The actor confessed to emotions he rarely shows in public. “Aaminin ko (I have to admit)… I have never felt so disillusioned, anxious, disturbed, and angry all at once. Not just because I now know the taxes I’ve paid have been ‘played’ with (pun intended), but because the very institutions meant to secure our future may also be the same ones denying it to our children.”
Dantes compared corruption to the fall of Walter White in Breaking Bad. “I see the reflection of our own generation, risking the same decay.”
“We told ourselves it was normal. We convinced ourselves it was inevitable. But it is not normal. And it should never be,” he said, hoping Filipinos wouldn’t grow desensitized to what’s happening.
At the core of his statement was a call to action. “Dialogue is important, but it must lead to action. And that action begins with accountability. Those entrusted with responsibility must be held to the highest standard… not to serve themselves, but to choose what is right.”
Clapping back
Some celebrities have also used their own viral moments to “clap back” at haters, with TV host and actress Kim Chiu recently finding herself in the hot seat.
During an episode of It’s Showtime, Filipino band IV of Spades appeared to promote their new song “Konsensya” ahead of their second album Andalucia, set for release in November. Kim accidentally mispronounced the group’s name, saying the letters “I-V” instead of the Roman numeral “4.”
This caused fans of the band to poke fun at the actress on social media for not being aware of who they were. Days later, after the episode’s broadcast, the actress went on X to speak up about the incident and added her own two cents as to why the mispronunciation issue shouldn’t be the main focus of the Filipino people.
“Let me just clear this out. Bilang mahilig ata tong acct na to sa ‘clout’. Honest mistake, diko talaga sila kilala. Kung naitama ko yung pangalan nila. May magbabago ba? Mababalik ba satin yung ninakaw na TAX natin? I think there is much more [problems] in PH now,” she wrote.
“This will be the last time I answer this. Right now, there are far bigger problems in our country and even in our own lives than nitpicking on small things like this. Mas kailangan ng bansa natn ang boses mo doon, sa tunay na laban, sa tunay na problema, sa tunay na kalaban. Pare pareho tayong lumaban sa buhay ng patas.”
(Let me just clear this out, because this account is attracting “clout.” Honest mistake, I don’t really know them or if I said their name right. Will anything change? Will our stolen taxes be returned? I think there are much more problems in the PH now. This will be the last time I answer this.
Right now, there are far bigger problems in our country and even in our own lives than nitpicking on small things like this. Your voices are needed more in the real fight, in the real problem of the country, and in the real enemy. We are all fighting for equality.)
Content creator family Team Kramer also took a brief pause from their online career to highlight the stacks of money that were found in former DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara’s private building, just near his office.
“Our taxes are meant to build a safer, more resilient nation, not to line the pockets of corrupt officials. This kind of theft robs our communities of the critical infrastructure they need to survive. We deserve better. We deserve accountability, integrity, and leaders who prioritize the welfare of the people over personal gain,” the family wrote.
Despite the many instances where celebrities could have kept to themselves about what’s going on in politics right now, they are instead choosing to take a stand.
Their voices don’t just protect their own workplace — they echo the frustrations of fans who have supported them since day one. They are reminding both the public and those in power that corruption isn’t just a political issue, but a human one. – Rappler.com
Juliana Chloe Gonzales is a Rappler intern studying AB Communication Arts at De La Salle University.
