Filipinos, including several public figures, condemned the use of the code word “basura” or trash to refer to bags of alleged kickbacks from corruption-ridden flood control projects.
In a Senate hearing on Thursday, September 25, Orly Guteza, a former Philippine Marines member and security consultant of Rep. Zaldy Co (Ako Bicol party-list), testified that he was part of a team that delivered suitcases filled with cash, using “basura” as the code.
Guteza claimed he personally delivered 46 Rimowa suitcases, each containing P48 to P50 million, to the residences of Co and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Rimowa is a high-end luggage brand known for its signature aluminum design.
Of the 46 suitcases, 11 were delivered to Co, while the remaining 35 went to Romualdez.
Guteza referred to the cash as “basura,” a term he said is commonly used in law enforcement to describe contraband. In this case, it referred to the congressmen’s alleged illegal proceeds from the flood control projects.
“Tuwing may duty-detailed ‘basura,’ may pupunta na tao na magde-deliver ng basura at ire-receive ni John Paul Estrada at Mark Tecsay, ang mga executive assistants ni Congressman Zaldy Co, at sila ang mga detailed sa mga ganyan activities,” he said in his sworn affidavit.
Estrada is the same “Paul” whom dismissed Department of Public Works and Highways engineer Brice Hernandez previously identified as the recipient of money deliveries intended for Co.
According to Gueteza, deliveries of the so-called “basura” or trash, referring to cash-filled suitcases, could happen up to three times a week.
He claimed the money represented kickbacks received by politicians from anomalous flood control projects.
Guteza’s revelations angered ordinary Filipino taxpayers, who voiced frustration as they continued to pay taxes and face rising living costs.
“‘What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?'” broadcast journalist Karen Davila commented, sharing a quote.
“Kung makapag-deliver ng BILYONG PISO sa bahay… ‘basura’ pa ang code name? Aanhin niyo po ang bilyong nakaw, hindi niyo naman po madadala ‘yon sa kamatayan?!” she added.
“Mga kababayan, kapag kayo po ay binabaha, hindi makapagbayad sa ospital, hindi ma kapag-aral ng anak, hindi makabili ng gamot… ito ang dahilan. Hindi mahirap ang Pilipinas, ninanakawan lang po tayo,” Davila said.
“‘Yung sayang na sayang ang oras mo sa traffic dahil nilugmok na ng mga walang kwentang politico ‘yung bayan. At tawagin pang ‘basura’ ‘yung pera na ninakaw sa atin. Sila dapat itapon na parang basura. Ano na?” actress Agot Isidro said.
“‘Yung perang pinagpapaguran at pinaghihirapan natin, BASURA ang tawag nila. Araw araw, pasakit [nang] pasakit sa puso. NAKAKAGALIT,” broadcast journalist DJ Chacha wrote.
“Basura lang tawag nila sa perang pinaglalanguyan nila, pera na kapalit ay kaligtasan ng maraming Pilipino. Basura na maraming buhay na ang kinuha,” another online user commented.
“Technically, these government [or] public officials should be working for us. Pero, we work so we can sustain their lifestyle, ANG GALING. Na para bang wala na silang konsensya sa paglustay ng pera ng bayan at tinawag pa nilang ‘basura,'” a different online user wrote.
“‘Basura’ ang code name nila sa pera ng mga mamamayang Pilipino dahil ‘basura’ ang tingin nitong mga korap na ito sa atin. Literal na binabasura ang mga kapwa nilang Pinoy na nag-sasakripisyo at naghihirap sa araw-araw para lang maka-survive. Mga walang puso at kaluluwa,” another Pinoy said.
“WTF? Basura ang tawag sa pera na ninanakaw niyo? Dugo at pawis ‘yan ng bawat mamamayang Pilipino! T*ng*na niyong lahat!!!” a different online user exclaimed.
Earlier this month, Hernandez shared images showing bundles of cash allegedly prepared “for delivery” to politicians linked to the flood control kickback schemes. The photos showed wads of P1,000 and P500 stacked and segregated on a table.
ALSO READ: ‘Pure evil’: Outrage flares as photos show alleged kickbacks in flood control projects
The Senate is currently investigating allegations of corruption in flood control projects, with government officials reportedly receiving kickbacks from the funds supposedly allocated for the initiatives.
The Palace said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the recovery of taxpayer money “stolen” in the flood control corruption scandal and infrastructure projects of the DPWH amid the controversy.
