Accountability

Only several weeks remain in 2025- a year defined by explosive headlines and revelations about the flood-control scandal. It was also the year nature forced us to confront the consequences of corruption that had plagued us for years: back-to-back typhoons unleashed catastrophic floods and landslides, claiming hundreds of lives and destroying the homes and livelihoods of millions of innocent Filipinos. Those who suffered were not the ones who betrayed public trust, yet they paid the highest price.

Typhoon Tino (international name Kalmaegi) swept through Visayas, leaving over 200 casualties and millions displaced. Before communities could recover, Super Typhoon Uwan (international name Fung-wong) quickly followed, worsening the devastation. These twin disasters were not just calamities, they were stress tests for government, exposing the magnitude of corruption that has claimed lives, washed away homes and ruined livelihoods.

The devastation left by the twin storms further flared public outrage over the web of corruption, ghost projects and substandard infrastructure that, instead of saving lives, have exposed communities to even greater vulnerabilities.

The public has been promised accountability, and that promise can still be fulfilled. While recent weeks have brought video statements and press conferences, what Filipinos truly seek are concrete actions and visible progress. Thousands of families are working tirelessly to rebuild after the storms, and they deserve a government equally committed to rebuilding trust. This moment is an opportunity to turn words into deeds, to show that justice is not just a pledge but a reality.

Last week, President Marcos issued a stern warning to personalities linked to anomalous flood control projects: “Wala silang Merry Christmas” (They won’t have a Merry Christmas). He vowed that those implicated would be jailed before the year ends. “Alam ko bago mag-Pasko marami dito sa napangalanan ay matatapos na ‘yung kaso nila, buo na ‘yung kaso” (I know before Christmas many of those named here. Their case will be finished; the case will be complete), he said.

These are strong words from the President. The nation now waits for action, for proof that justice will be enforced and that those truly behind the flood control mess will be held accountable. This is the only path to rebuild public confidence – deliver justice to the Filipino people who suffered because of greed. If the government cannot provide a clear roadmap for reform before the year ends, it risks cementing the perception that corruption is not just tolerated but is already institutionalized.

Civic groups, churches and business coalitions have joined the call to prosecute not just the “small fish” but the masterminds behind this systemic plunder. The clamor is not for token resignations, only real accountability that makes corruption shameful again. Across the country, anger has spilled into the streets, with citizens chanting a battle cry: “Mga kurakot, ikulong na ’yan!” (Jail the corrupt!).

Public engagement is growing as protests continue to sweep the country. The clarion call is clear. The people are asking for accountability, for making those responsible in stealing public money pay for their actions and wrongdoing.

The government has made efforts to address the corruption scandal, including the creation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, the issuance of subpoenas and the filing of charges. But the Filipino people need faster, tangible results.

Every day without accountability is another day of vulnerability for millions living in flood-prone areas. Justice demands urgency because unless corruption is addressed and reforms are implemented, the Filipino people will again be wading in floodwaters by the next typhoon season.

Before the year ends, the Filipino people deserve answers to these questions: Who are the people behind this mammoth corruption scandal? Where did all the money go? What is our way forward to prevent this from happening again? The best gift this government can give the Filipino people this Christmas is not rhetoric, but answers and justice.

President Marcos has already given a Christmas deadline to bring those involved in the corruption scandal to justice, and we hope that promise comes true.

The year is drawing to a close. Before families gather for Noche Buena, let the government turn words into action and deliver justice to the Filipino people who have endured so much. This is not just about punishing corruption, it is about restoring trust, rebuilding hope and proving that good governance is possible.

I pray this moment becomes a turning point. This is a true test of leadership — an opportunity for our public officials to rise above politics and serve justice. If they succeed, Christmas 2025 will not be hollow; it will be a season of renewed faith in our institutions and a promise of a better year ahead.