Celebrities react to DPWH fire amid corruption probe: “Ay wow, biglang nasunog”

· A fire hit the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bureau of Research and Standards building in Quezon City

· Celebrities like Anne Curtis, Darren Espanto, and Dominic Roque voiced public suspicion over the timing of the blaze amid a major corruption probe

· Darren Espanto posted, “Ay wow biglang nasunog,” a sentiment echoed by Anne Curtis

· The Ombudsman has ordered a probe into the fire to address public concern that evidence related to corruption may have been destroyed

The unexpected fire that engulfed a building at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Quezon City has ignited public skepticism, and leading the charge in voicing that doubt are some of the country’s most popular celebrities.

Stars like Anne Curtis, Darren Espanto, and Dominic Roque have taken to social media to express a collective eyebrow-raise over the suspicious timing of the blaze, which occurred amidst an intensified investigation into massive corruption allegations within the department, particularly concerning flood control projects.

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The fire, which hit the DPWH’s Bureau of Research and Standards (BRS) building along NIA Road, Quezon City, was quickly put out.

However, the incident's timing immediately sparked a wave of speculation across online platforms, with many Filipinos fearing that crucial evidence might have been lost.

One of the first celebrities to articulate the public’s incredulity was singer Darren Espanto, who posted a concise, yet pointed, reaction on X (formerly Twitter): "Ay wow biglang nasunog" (Oh wow, suddenly it caught fire).

Fellow Kapamilya star Anne Curtis swiftly amplified the sentiment, quoting Espanto’s post and responding with her own sarcastic query: "Ay wow… paano na kaya 'yun?" (Oh wow, how is that possible?).

Their posts resonated deeply with thousands of followers who saw the incident as too convenient to be a mere accident.

Adding a more cynical layer to the discourse, It's Showtime host Teddy Corpuz posted a short, direct message hinting at the destruction of proof: "Sunog evidence. Iwas pusoy" (Burn evidence. Damage control).

This language, familiar to Filipinos discussing political scandals, highlighted the prevalent belief that the fire was a deliberate attempt to sanitize records.

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Actor Dominic Roque shared an Inquirer news video of the burning building on his Instagram story, overlaying it with a brief but weighty commentary: "This is not right."

Meanwhile, comedienne Pokwang used her signature sarcasm, sharing the video with a caption that ironically praised the timing: "Gaming (Amazing). Whoo! Ang husay (That’s great). Tapos na ang laban (The battle is over). Wala na (No more)."

Veteran actor Edu Manzano joined the conversation by reviving a long-standing meme associated with the DPWH corruption issues, posting an AI image of himself as an engineer with the mock quote: "'Walang na-damage na dokumento,'” followed by a pointed rhetorical question, “Oo nga naman. Paano masusunog ang ghost files = ghost projects?” (Of course. How can you burn ghost files = ghost projects?).

In a bid to quell the public’s immediate suspicions, the DPWH released a statement clarifying that no documents related to the ongoing flood control corruption probe were stored in the burned BRS building.

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Initial reports from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) suggested the fire originated from a computer unit that allegedly exploded.

However, the Ombudsman, recognizing the extreme public sensitivity surrounding the fire’s timing, has already taken action, ordering a full investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the BFP to determine the true cause of the blaze.

The fact that high-profile celebrities felt compelled to publicly question the incident underscores the severe erosion of public trust in the agency, where even a fire is immediately viewed through the lens of political and financial scandal.

For many Filipinos, the blaze is a symbolic representation of the fight for transparency being abruptly cut short.

Anne Curtis-Smith is a Filipino-Australian actress and television host. She rose to fame through various television dramas, including Hiram, Maging Sino Ka Man, and Dyosa. Since 2009, she has been a mainstay and one of the principal hosts of the ABS-CBN noontime variety show, It's Showtime. In her personal life, Anne is married to Erwan Heussaff, a celebrated content creator and entrepreneur. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Dahlia Amélie, in 2020.

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Recently, Anne expressed frustration online after learning that only 22 of the government’s 1,700 targeted classrooms were completed this year. She reposted the report and emphasized how badly classrooms are needed especially in struggling regions. A week earlier, she also called out the lack of accountability in the ongoing flood control project controversy. Anne has been known as one of the most vocal celebrities in raising awareness about social issues and alleged corruption.

She previously attended her first-ever Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in New York City. The Kapamilya star meets Adriana Lima, one of the brand’s original Angels. Anne describes the event as an “inclusive and inspiring” new era for Victoria’s Secret. Fans gush over her stunning pink carpet look and celebrate her as the Philippines’ “angel rep."

Source: KAMI.com.gh