Cesar Montano on corruption in the Philippines: ‘Matagal na nating kinukunsinti ‘yan’

As a Filipino citizen, what can Cesar Montano say about the corruption in the Philippines? 

On Tuesday’s episode of "Fast Talk With Boy Abunda," the award-winning actor described corruption as a social cancer that has been long plaguing the nation.

“Matagal na ‘yan Tito Boy. Noon pa man, mayroon na ‘yan pero ito ‘yung highlight, ito ‘yung pinakahighlight na hindi kalunok-lunok na. Pero noon pa ‘yan. Sakit na ng bansa natin ‘yan. ‘Yung sistema na ‘yan,” he said. 

According to Cesar, both the government and the people should be held accountable when it comes to corruption, citing the national election as an example where people sell their soul for votes. 

“Kung mayroon mang masisi ‘yan dapat lahat tayo. Tignan mo sa eleksyon na lang, nababayaran ang Pilipino. Hanapin niyo ‘yung mga probinsya natin minsan compare notes pa magkano kinita mo ngayon? Magkano binayad sayo?” he said. 

“We sell our soul. Naging kultura natin ‘yan. So naboboto natin, nalalagay natin sa power ang taong hindi naman nararapat dahil lang naibenta natin ang kaluluwa natin, ang ating boto. Now ito na hinog na, lumaki na. Ang dami ng nakaupo ang hindi dapat nakaupo. Ito na ang problema natin." 

Cesar also believed that people should not resort to violence when protesting against corruption, but rather to the due process of the law and systematic reforms. 

“I think lahat naman ‘yan kailangan ng due process of law. Dadaan ang kailangan. Hindi natin makukuha ‘yan sa violence, kailangan ito matinding repormasyon ang mangyari. Change. Pagbabago talaga,” he shared. 

But while Cesar believes in change, he acknowledged that it does not happen over night as corruption is something that people tolerate. 

“Hindi natin makukuha ‘yan ng isang taon, ng ilang buwan lang. Hindi. Matagal na nating kinukunsinti ‘yan, tinotolerate ‘yan eh,” he said. 

Cesar stars in the film “Selda Tres” alongside Carla Abellana and JM De Guzman. It will be screened at the Sinag Manila Film Festival from September 24 to 30.

—Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA Integrated News