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| (Image Source: Starmometer) |
Many were surprised and overwhelmed at the recent flooding that inundated parts of NCR (National Capital Region) and Luzon due to the southwest monsoon strengthened by a recent string of typhoons and other weather disturbances affecting the Asia Pacific region with some eventually reaching the point of discrediting stories of positivity and resilience and emotionally and virtually expressing their disappointment towards the national government and the thousands of flood control projects, in which most of them are either unfinished or failed to live up to its expectations, that has been the center of it all.
In its wake, several rappers took to the microphone to voice their frustration and concerns, echoing the sentiments of many Filipinos over rampant corruption in government and the need for reform; this, giving birth to the “Baha Rap Challenge”. KASSA started the challenge with her song “BAHA”, featuring Poison 13 and Onad, in which she slammed government corruption and its impact on ordinary Filipinos who continue to bear the brunt of flooding during the rainy season. Highlighting the suffering caused by greed and government neglect, the song says, “Ayan na ang ulan, tumakbo na sa kawalan, lumangoy sa kasakiman, lubog sa kapabayaan. Sa munti mong barong-barong. Ingatan ang lahat. Maging supling mong kalong-kalong halo-halong kalungkutan at problemang patong-patong. Sa ulang di ka masasalba ng kahit anong payong. Ito ang bunga ng kasakimang pinipitas. Kung nandito ‘yung baha, bakit pondo yung nililimas.” The song also criticized government officials accused of pocketing public funds intended for flood control projects while ordinary Filipinos bear the consequences of flooding, stating, “Sarap po yata diyan ang inyong pagkakaupo habang yung iba naglilimas ng tubig sa mga tahanan, kayo naman nililimas ang kaban ng bayan.Ang sarap siguro diyan kaya hindi makatayo. Komportable kalagayan at mga higaan niyo.” Several rappers later joined the trend with Pio Balbuena, Hambog ng Sagpro, and Flict-G adding their own verses to KASSA’s song and sharing their own takes on the recent flooding incidents and the issues surrounding them.
Pio’s verse took aim at alleged corruption and the accumulation of wealth by those in power while ordinary Filipinos continue to suffer from flooding. Taking aim at politicians accused of prioritizing their own interests over the welfare of the Filipino people, Pio stressed, “Nakakaangat sila kasi maraming lubog na lubog. Baha-baha na dito sa amin habang kayo ay busog na busog. Mga maletang malalaki, maraming perang nakatabi. Habang kami, kapagka umuulan ay hindi na makatulog sa gabi. Ang taas na ng tubig at lumalampas sa hita. Tiis na lang ulit, ganun naman tayong mga Pilipino. Kapag inabutan ng lima, ihuli na ‘yung kiliti mo. Binobobo ‘yung Pilipino ng binobotong matatalino at pinopondo ‘yung mga pondo, buhay ng tao ‘yung nakaabono.” Flict-G focused on the trillions of pesos allocated to flood control projects, questioning how the funds were spent and why many projects remained unfinished, saying, “Alam mo ba? Na kung susuriin mo ang mga datos. Mahigit isang trilyon sa apat na taon ng gastos. Kalahati sa mga proyekto, ‘di rin matatapos. Kasi umpisa pa lang, pati ‘yung bidding, ‘di maayos.” For his part, Hambog ng Sagpro expressed his anger and frustration over corruption and the alleged misuse of government aid and public funds during typhoons. He also criticized officials for prioritizing their own interests while communities struggle with flooding, hunger, inadequate infrastructure, and delayed or insufficient assistance, and called for accountability. He said, “Sindikato’t kriminal sana ang rehas mahaplos. Mapunta pa sa impyerno para rehas malapnos.” Eventually, Senator Bam Aquino acknowledged the challenge and shared Balbuena’s music video on his Facebook page, to which the rapper replied, “Sana maipasa na yung CADENA. Blockchain the budget now!” The rapper was referring to Sen. Bam’s Senate Bill No. 1506 or the Citizen Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability (CADENA) Act which was approved by the Senate on third and final reading on Dec. 15, 2025, with a 17-0 vote, with no objections or abstentions. However, its counterpart measure in the House of Representatives has yet to advance.
Under the CADENA Act, all government agencies are mandated to upload and regularly maintain detailed budget-related documents — including contracts, project costs, bills of materials, and procurement records — on a Digital Budget Platform. The system is designed to ensure that all files are publicly accessible, tamper-resistant, traceable, open-source, and verifiable. Government officials who fail to disclose required documents or who upload fraudulent information may face administrative and criminal penalties.
