Artikulo Onse slams ICI for ‘trivializing’ corruption

Anti-corruption group Artikulo Onse on Friday, 07 November 2025, lambasted the commission tasked to investigate anomalous flood control projects for “trivializing” the corruption issue.

This was the group’s response to Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Chair Andres Reyes, who invoked “love for country” amid the rising death toll in the aftermath of Typhoon Tino.

“Manhid ang ICI sa pagdurusa ng mga kababayan nating sinalanta ng bagyong Tino. Kumakalampag para sa hustisya, tama ba ang tugon ay ‘love’? Usad pagong na nga, lupang pa!” said Partido Lakas ng Masa Chair and Artikulo Onse convenor Leody de Guzman. (“The ICI is insensitive to the suffering of our countrymen affected by Typhoon Tino. We are clamoring for justice—how can ‘love’ be the answer? It’s already snail-paced, yet still dragging.”)

Cebu province sustained the highest number of casualties, according to the latest data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier declared a state of national calamity following the devastation caused by the typhoon, with another projected super typhoon expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility this weekend.

The ICI recommended seven new names to be charged for corruption as a result of its continuing investigation into the flood control mess.

“Ang mismong pumirma sa budget, kasama na ang 2025 budget, ang pinaka-corrupt na budget sa kasaysayan ng bansa, ay wala sa ICI report. Sinong maniniwala sa kalokohan na yan? Magtutuloy-tuloy ang pandarambong habang nakaupo ang national disaster sa Malacañang?” added de Guzman, referring to the exclusion of President Marcos in the latest ICI recommendation. (“The very person who signed the budget, including the 2025 budget—the most corrupt in history—is not in the ICI report. Who would believe such nonsense? The plunder will continue while the national disaster sits in Malacañang.”)

Artikulo Onse revealed plans for a massive anti-corruption protest on 30 November 2025, Bonifacio Day, in Mendiola—a departure from other groups organizing rallies at the People Power Monument.

“All roads lead to Mendiola to demonstrate that efforts to curb corruption would fail if the big fish occupying Malacañang would be spared,” said Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino president and Artikulo Onse co-convenor Atty. Luke Espiritu.

“Korap si BBM, korap si Sara, korap ang mga kongresistang dawit sa flood control. Silang lahat dapat panagutin!” he added. (“BBM is corrupt, Sara is corrupt, and the congressmen involved in flood control are corrupt. They all must be held accountable!”)

Artikulo Onse rejected any military takeover or establishment of a junta, asserting that “any solution to the corruption issue must address the systemic raid into public coffers.”

Instead, the coalition called for the creation of a people’s transition council composed of representatives from all anti-corruption forces to implement political reforms aimed at eradicating corruption.

“That’s why they shouldn’t be saved. And that’s why we were called to change the ICI. Marcos will not be investigated by the ICI because he created it,” Espiritu said in a press conference at Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City.

“All corrupt people should be imprisoned, not only the sacrificial lambs. That is our call,” he added.