Digital creators’ platforms now tools vs flood control plunder, corruption

Content creators and influencers unite to demand accountability and government transparency. Photo from Creators Against Corruption

MANILA, Philippines—A coalition of Filipino content creators on Thursday launched Creators Against Corruption (CAC), pledging to use their platforms to press for transparency and accountability amid mounting public anger over the massive plunder of flood control funds.

The movement, formally launched on September 11 in Pasig City, brought together content creators from all corners of the digital space—including horror storytellers, card collectors, tech reviewers, financial educators, gamers, and lifestyle vloggers—who said they could no longer stay silent in the face of worsening corruption.

“Now is not the time to be fence-sitting or on the sidelines. We are called to be part of this battle against the raging corruption happening in the Philippines today,” said CAC lead convenor and digital entrepreneur Carlo Ople, speaking at the launch event in Barangay Kapitolyo.

Turning platforms into a ‘megaphone for the people’

As part of its launch, CAC unveiled a manifesto declaring that creators can no longer remain silent as corruption deepens. Built on a shared belief in digital accountability, the document calls on influencers to transform their platforms—from sources of entertainment into tools for truth.

“Our platforms, built on trust and community, have become something more: a megaphone for the people,” the manifesto read. “We’ve watched as corruption erodes the foundations of our society, from the highest offices to the local halls of power.”

The coalition said it would use its reach to expose wrongdoing, amplify whistleblowers, and demand real consequences for those who betray public trust—“regardless of their position or power.”

“From this day forward, our platforms will be a tool for truth,” it added. “We will be relentless. We will be loud. We will be a mirror held up to power, and we will not look away until justice is served.”

By signing the manifesto, members committed to upholding integrity in their work, refusing complicity in corruption, and promoting transparency and accountability through their content.

To carry out its mission, CAC said it will produce educational content, host online discussions, and partner with civic groups to help more Filipinos understand how corruption happens—and what they can do about it.

Among the first to sign the CAC manifesto are:

• Carlo Ople
• Chris Tan
• Marc Gamboa (Models of Manila)
• Gabriel Pineda (Gabe Talks on TikTok)
• Julia Pineda (Ate Bebs on TikTok)
• Teacher LJ Reyes
• Julio Ingco (Jay Loves Cardboard)
• Joseph Teoxon
• Sai Montes
• Rocky Turen
• Rollie Garcia
• R. Ty
• Migo Delfin (VRSUS)
• Chef Martin Narisma
• Gian Gaite
• Jigs de Asis
• Sean Salustiano
• Rye Icatar
• AJ Badiola
• Spart (We the Future)

Public outrage over ‘ghost’ projects

The coalition’s launch comes at a time when Congress, regulators, and watchdogs are investigating reports that trillions of pesos in flood control funds were funneled into projects that do not exist or remain unfinished.

In recent Senate hearings, lawmakers flagged at least 60 “ghost” flood control projects—many of them listed under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget and marked as implemented, with billions already allocated, despite little to no evidence of actual construction on the ground.

READ: Flood control project graft cost economy up to P118B, DOF says

The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged irregularities in flood control spending, including projects without sufficient documentation or site validation, and ordered a fraud audit covering works from 2022 to 2025 to verify their physical existence through geo-tagged photos and inspections.

READ: Flood of plunder: Billions paid for projects existing only on paper

Lawmakers have also raised concerns about the apparent concentration of funds in certain districts and links between contractors and politicians, prompting calls for deeper scrutiny of project allocations.

Not just entertainers

While much of the movement’s messaging focuses on exposing corruption and promoting digital accountability, CAC also seeks to challenge how society views influencers—as passive entertainers or trendmakers detached from national issues.

“We are no longer content to simply entertain,” the manifesto declared. “We will not be silenced by intimidation or dismissed as mere entertainers. The public has a right to know how government operates and where their money is spent.”

The coalition is calling on fellow creators—regardless of niche, audience size, or background—to step into a more civic role by using their platforms not only to inform and inspire, but to help amplify trust, transparency, and accountability in the digital space.

Interested content creators are encouraged to reach out through the official Facebook page: Creators Against Corruption.