Activists should make flood scandal a 2028 election issue, analysts say

PROTEST ORGANIZERS should turn the multibillion-peso flood control scandal into a central campaign issue for the 2028 elections, political analysts said, arguing that an early push could help shape voter sentiment and boost anti-corruption candidates.

- By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

They also said organizers should start “blacklisting” politicians linked to the controversy to weaken support for officials tainted by the scheme.

“The issue is existential and must pivot towards 2028,” Hansley A. Juliano, a political science lecturer at Ateneo de Manila University, said in a Facebook Messenger chat. “If genuine and organic leaders spring on the local and national levels... [then there] is an opportunity to front with fresher, less compromised leaders.”

The call comes as corruption allegations deepen against President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s administration less than three years before the next presidential vote. His slipping public approval could complicate efforts to rally voters behind his preferred successors.

Mr. Marcos’ satisfaction score fell to its lowest since he took office in 2022, according to a WR Numero Research poll released last week. About 21% of Filipinos approved of his performance in November, down 14 points from August.