A 6.4 magnitude earthquake rocked southern Mindanao, and I can see pictures that my friends who are there post on social media.

The pictures reminded me of the earthquake a long time ago in Bohol. I had the chance to go around the province since I happened to be there for a friend’s wedding in October 2013.

Other than the centuries-old churches being damaged severely, what I noticed as well was that most of those that were badly damaged were government infrastructures.

I saw how barangay halls fell. Badly damaged were municipal buildings, public gymnasiums, bridges, streets, waiting sheds. You can’t help but think that the earthquake exposed the quality of government infrastructure.

The damage indicate corruption, certainly. Because why was it that the private buildings beside them simply survived and had minimal damage?

These disasters simply exposed corruption in government. We should have the ombudsman, bringing engineers to check on these structures. (By Libby Celeron, Mandaue City)