Miss PH Earth Joy Barcoma calls for accountability in flood control controversy

Miss Philippines Earth 2025 Joy Barcoma. Image: Armin P. Adina/INQUIRER.net

Reigning Miss Philippines Earth Joy Barcoma made a rare jump on what she calls a “social media trend” as she shares her thoughts on one of the current hot topics among Filipinos.

On Friday afternoon, Aug. 29, the lass from Bacoor City shared on her social media page a post from Sen. Risa Hontiveros about the controversies surrounding the government’s flood control projects.

“Dapat may maparusahan dito sa FLOOD CONTROL SCAM. Dapat mapatunayan sa publiko na may mananagot dito sa mga scam na nilulunod ang ating mga kababayan hindi lang sa baha, kundi sa korapsyon,” she said.

(Someone should be punished in this flood control scam. It must be proven to the public that someone will take accountability for this scam that has inundated our countrymen, not just in flood, but in corruption.)

Barcoma added her own caption on the senator’s post: “This is the only time I got so invested in social media trends. I don’t condone bullying, but politicians and the privileged few who flaunt their lavish lifestyles built on corruption deserve every call-out they’re getting.”

Just recently, the public cited social media contents from personalities connected to government contractors displaying luxury items and chronicling expensive foreign travels.

Barcoma comes from humble beginnings, even earning her degree at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, an institution known for honing students living in the margins and offering affordable subsidized tuition.

“They deserve to feel uncomfortable because they’ve forced our country into unsafe, unjust, and uncomfortable realities,” added the beauty queen, who bested 35 other aspirants for her title.

Barcoma topped the 25th staging of the Miss Philippines Earth pageant, held at the Cove Manila Club of Okada Manila in Parañaque City on Aug. 10. She will represent the country in the 25th Miss Earth pageant later this year.

She ended her statement by posting in all caps: “SILA ANG DAPAT MAHIYA, HINDI TAYO (They are the ones who should be ashamed, not us). WE WILL HOLD THE LINE BY HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE!”

Before Barcoma, 2021 Miss Intercontinental Cinderella Faye Obeñita also spoke up about the scandalous display of wealth of personalities who are being connected to the controversies in the use of public funds. She posted her thoughts on her social media page on Thursday, Aug. 28. /ra