Rian Bacalla Speaks Out on Corruption After Cebu Quake
RIAN BACALLA – The former Pinoy Big Brother housemate has spoken out following the powerful earthquake that struck Cebu, linking the disaster to the long-standing problem of corruption in government infrastructure projects.
In a social media post, Bacalla remarked, “This earthquake will reveal the substandard infrastructures of corrupt government officials. First the rain, now the earthquake. Mother Nature’s literally exposing these anomalies.” His statement reflects the frustration of many Filipinos who fear that poorly built and unsafe structures—products of corruption and negligence—could worsen the tragedy in times of natural disasters.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) confirmed that the death toll from the magnitude 6.9 earthquake has climbed to 26. Authorities, however, clarified that these numbers are still subject to validation. Along with the fatalities, 147 people have been reported injured, while no one has been declared missing.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the quake struck on the night of September 30, 2025, with its epicenter located 19 kilometers northeast of Bogo City, Cebu. With a shallow depth of only five kilometers, the tremor’s destructive power was felt strongly in northern Cebu towns such as Bogo, Daanbantayan, Medellin, San Remigio, and Tabuelan, where Intensity VII shaking was recorded. These levels of shaking are classified as “very strong” and are capable of damaging even well-built structures.
The quake’s impact extended beyond Cebu. Neighboring provinces across the Visayas, parts of Mindanao, and even Luzon reported varying intensities—from Intensity VI in Bantayan, Borbon, and Sogod, to Intensity I in far-flung areas such as Quezon and Surigao del Sur. Residents across these regions were jolted by the force, with many describing it as one of the strongest earthquakes they had ever experienced.
PHIVOLCS has warned of aftershocks in the coming days and advised communities to remain alert. Local governments and emergency teams are now focused on rescue and relief efforts, particularly for those whose homes and livelihoods have been severely affected.
