A fire that engulfed the Bureau of Research and Standards building of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Quezon City has ignited a furious backlash across the Philippines, with prominent celebrities leading the charge of public skepticism and outrage. The incident, occurring amidst ongoing, high-profile investigations into alleged corruption within the agency’s crucial flood control projects, has been widely perceived not as a simple accident, but as a deliberate act of evidence tampering.

The celebrity reactions have resonated powerfully with a disillusioned public, transforming the fire into a symbolic representation of entrenched corruption within the government.

Anne Curtis: The Question of Accountability

Actress and host Anne Curtis was among the first and most vocal public figures to react. Her immediate response on X (formerly Twitter) was a pointed, sarcastic commentary that perfectly encapsulated the public’s disbelief: “Oh wow. What will happen to that now?”

Her remarks clearly alluded to the extensive, high-stakes issue of corruption surrounding the DPWH’s handling of multi-billion peso flood control initiatives. Despite the agency’s quick assurance that no “vital evidence or documents” related to the flood control projects were stored in the gutted office, Curtis and millions of Filipinos remain deeply skeptical.

Anne Curtis has established herself as an outspoken critic of corruption and misuse of public funds. She has repeatedly used her platform to demand transparency, turning to the insightful words of journalist Jessica Soho to express her frustration. In a previous post, she quoted Soho’s searing observation: “It’s no longer the flood that will sink our country, but greed.” Curtis’s only reply was: “That hurts.”

More recently, on October 15, she posted a hard-hitting message, noting the prolonged lack of action: “42 days since hearings on flood control project started. Still no one has been held accountable.” Her caption challenged the authorities: “The truth is, what’s happening?”

In a lengthier statement that resonated with taxpayers, she posed a fundamental question: “Where do all our taxes really go? It’s time we use our voices to end corruption in our country—for our children and for the future generation of Filipinos.” For Curtis, the fire only intensified the urgency of this civic duty.

Darren Espanto: The Shock of a Convenient Coincidence

Singer and host Darren Espanto mirrored Anne Curtis’s shock with a succinct and widely shared post on X: “Wow, it suddenly burned down.” His post, which Anne Curtis reposted, highlighted the unbelievable nature of the “timing” of the incident, occurring precisely when the DPWH was under intense scrutiny for corruption.

Espanto is no stranger to anticorruption advocacy, having previously participated in related rallies. His reaction articulated a widespread concern: that the fire was not merely worrisome, but mocked the seriousness of the government’s investigative process, suggesting a calculated attempt to dismiss the issue altogether.

Ellen Adarna: The Pablo Escobar Comparison

Actress Ellen Adarna took an even more dramatic and pointed approach to her commentary. On her Instagram story, she reposted news of the DPWH fire alongside a searing, satirical remark: “The design is very Pablo Escobar.”

By invoking the infamous Colombian drug lord, known for his ruthless evasion of justice, Adarna implied that the incident was a masterstroke of criminal sabotage designed to eliminate evidence and cover tracks. This was not the first time Adarna had publicly expressed her outrage over the alleged flood control scam, sarcastically lamenting the “billions, oh my god, the billions” that were allegedly misused.

In one highly satirical previous post, she challenged the public to “Wake up, you’re not a contractor’s child,” followed by a message acknowledging the hardships of life. Netizens applauded Adarna for her courage in speaking out on national issues, despite her reduced visibility in the active showbiz circuit.

Teddy Corpuz and Pokwang: The Public’s Deep Skepticism

Other celebrities also used sarcasm to voice their suspicions. Musician Teddy Corpuz’s reaction on X was succinct and cynical: “Fire. Evidence. Avoiding responsibility (iwas pusoy).” His comment clearly echoed the public consensus that the blaze was intentionally set to destroy evidence related to the massive flood control controversy.

Comedienne Pokwang, known for her sharp social commentary, reacted with a sarcastic tone on her Instagram story: “Brilliant! Excellent! The fight is over. It’s finished.” Her words suggested that the government had effectively shut down the investigation by allowing the “evidence to burn.”

Pokwang had previously spoken out emotionally on the issue, expressing her frustration as a hardworking citizen and mother: “I have the flu now from working so that they [the corrupt] can flex their lavish lifestyles. Hey children [of the corrupt], don’t deactivate your social media so the people know that we are making you happy… I can only cry. Thank goodness you are our true refuge, Lord. We place it in your hands, Filipinos. Only you know who is true and whose intentions are not. Punish those who deserve to be punished for the trust they have destroyed.”

Dominic Roque: An Issue of Justice and Trust

Actor Dominic Roque joined the chorus of dismay, labelling the DPWH fire as “unjust” and criticizing the official explanation that the blaze was sparked by an exploding computer unit within the materials testing unit.

Roque’s disappointment stemmed from the broader issue of non-accountability. He had previously expressed confidence that the President would not tolerate corruption if concrete evidence existed. However, the subsequent events—the fire and the lack of arrests—have seemingly eroded that faith, leading him to believe that the system is flawed and failing to deliver justice.

The collective response from these celebrities—ranging from Anne Curtis’s reasoned demand for accountability to Ellen Adarna’s stinging satire and Pokwang’s emotional outcry—highlights a critical moment of convergence between the entertainment world and civic activism in the Philippines.

The DPWH fire has done more than just destroy documents; it has severely damaged public trust and galvanized influential voices to demand transparency. As the official investigation attempts to proceed, the burning question for the government remains: can they convince the public that the fire was a coincidence, or has the incident solidified the public’s belief that the evidence of corruption has literally gone up in smoke? The answer will define the Marcos administration’s commitment to justice and good governance in the eyes of the Filipino people.