Netizens blame Napoles, gov’t corruption for flood problems

MANILA, Philippines—As Metro Manila and nearby provinces suffer heavy rainfall, netizens continue to rant against Janet Lim-Napoles, prompting some to comment  that stolen government funds could have been used to ease flood problems.

With classes and some offices suspended, Filipinos took to Twitter on Monday to offer their thoughts on the raging tropical storm “Maring” and the political calamity that is now known as the pork barrel scam.

On Facebook, Raia Dela Pena from Laguna narrated how her family has always been troubled by regular flooding in their area.

“I think of the floods and I remember all this talk of pork barrel funds and government corruption. You realize a lot of that money could have gone to resolving flood issues in different areas all over the country but it didn’t. It went to the pockets of corrupt individuals like the Napoles family and the politicians who benefit from this whole system of corruption,” wrote Dela Pena.

Meanwhile, Geneive Sarmenta (@msgensar) on Twitter said many areas should not have been flooded if only the money Napoles allegedly took was properly used by the government.

“All I can say about the flooding problem in the city is that THAT is where our tax money DIDN’T go. Thank you Napoles!!!” wrote Christian Cruz (@XtiansPanaderia).

Meanwhile, others made fun of  Napoles, who is still being hunted by the authorities for serious illegal detention of whistleblower Benhur Luy.

Others hoped she was also affected by the floods while some suggested the storm could have been used as a distraction for her escape.

Twitter user Prinz Magtulis (@prinzmagtulis) joked, “Maybe we should now entertain the fact that Janet Napoles hired #habagat as a distraction. #porkbarrel”