Atom Araullo on corruption issues in PH: ‘I am absolutely 100% with ordinary people’

Atom Araullo underscored the need for good governance and systemic reform as he reacted to ongoing corruption controversies in the Philippines.

On Friday’s “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” the award-winning Kapuso journalist said that he holds strong opinions about the current political climate, noting that public frustration is rooted in long-standing issues.

“Hindi naman deniable. It's out there. Na talagang grabe ang korapsyon. Bilyon-bilyong piso ang pinag-uusapan. At ang pinaka-nakalulungkot, latest lang ito. Sa mahabang kasaysayan natin na merong mga exposé tapos wala naman nangyayari. So, I am absolutely 100% with ordinary people when they say na we're sick and tired and we want people to pay. Gusto namin may managot,” he said.

When asked why public outrage has not translated into larger actions, Atom pointed to how social movements historically develop over time.

“It's also a matter of patience. Ang mga social movements, they don't happen overnight. It has to be sustained,” he said, citing previous political movements that took years before reaching a “tipping point.”

He emphasized that losing hope often stems from failing to understand the roots of the problem.

“Ang importante ay hindi tayo mawalan ng pag-asa. At mag-aral din tayo. Kasi alam mo kailan nawawalan ng pag-asa mga tao? Kapag hindi nila naiintindihan ‘yung ugat ng problema. Kasi ako, bilang dating student leader sa UP, naging bahagi ako ng iba-ibang mga organizations, naiintindihan ko na ‘yung pagbabago, hindi siya agad-agad makikita.”

Per Atom, corruption is not only about individuals in power but also about the systems that enable wrongdoing.

“Ang problema sa korapsyon, hindi lang nasa mga tao, nandun sa sistema. At ‘yung sistema, hindi siya madaling baguhin,” he said.

He also stressed that while “small wins” such as prosecuting minor offenders matter, the public expects accountability from higher officials as well.

“Alam ng mga nasa kapangyarihan na hindi puwedeng tumigil tayo sa small fish. Kailangan merong mga managot na medyo mas mataas ang posisyon. At baka hindi pa enough ‘yun para sa mga kababayan natin. So the outrage is being felt.”

He added that more Filipinos are beginning to see that genuine reform requires examining and fixing systemic flaws.

“Hindi enough na magkaroon ng mga bagong leaders. Kailangan natin silipin ‘yung sistema. Bakit ‘yung sistema natin nag-aanak ng ganitong klaseng mga problema year after year,” he said. “In fact, ang nakakalungkot nga dyan, some people say even if you get into government as a good person with good intentions, after a while, dahil sa dami ng compromises, nalalamon ka din ng sistema. So it is the system.”

Atom hosts “The Atom Araullo Specials,” which tackles social issues and human-interest stories. His upcoming documentary on Siquijor, titled “Magic Island,” is set to air on November 30 at 3:15 p.m. on GMA Network.

—Carby Rose Basina/CDC, GMA Integrated News