Opinion

A call for integrity: When the waters rise, so must we

POINT OF VIEW - The Philippine Star

September 21, 2025 | 12:00am

There comes a moment in a nation’s life when silence is no longer an option. That moment is now. The floods ravaging our communities are not just natural disasters. They are the consequence of broken systems, breached trust and corruption that diverts life-saving resources into private pockets. Beneath the rising waters lie shattered homes, lost lives and livelihoods, suspended classes and food production compromised. But deeper still runs a current of greed that threatens the very soul of our Republic.

The TOFIL Laureates speak today not as honorees, but as citizens. Our recognition for integrity and service carries no weight unless it is used to demand accountability.

We say: enough.

We commend the creation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure under Executive Order No. 94, signed by President Marcos Jr. on Sept. 11, 2025. It is a bold and necessary step toward truth and reform. Tasked with investigating corruption and misuse of funds in flood control and infrastructure projects spanning three administrations, the Commission holds the power to restore public trust if it acts swiftly and without fear or favor.

We place our trust in its members:

• Justice Andres Reyes Jr., Chairperson, bringing legal clarity and independence

• Rogelio “Babes” Singson, TOFIL Laureate and former DPWH secretary, known for reform and integrity

• Rossana Fajardo, SGV & Co. Managing Partner, expert in financial forensics

• Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Special Adviser and Investigator, a symbol of principled leadership

But commissions alone cannot heal our nation. That work belongs to us all. This is not about partisan politics. It is about justice, honor and the future of our children. It is about turning outrage into reform.

We call for a multi-dimensional response rooted in transparency, justice, and stewardship. Specifically, we urge:

• Immediate suspension of all flagged flood control projects pending independent review not only for financial irregularities but also for compliance with environmental laws, climate resilience standards and community impact assessments.

• Full disclosure of all budget insertions, including authorship and justification, to ensure public funds are allocated based on genuine need, not political convenience. This must include publication of technical feasibility studies and cost-benefit analyses.

• Robust protections for whistleblowers, including legal safeguards, anonymity protocols and financial support, to empower truth-tellers and dismantle the culture of fear and silence.

• Weekly public accountability briefings, led by the Commission, to report progress, findings, and actions taken. These sessions must be accessible to media, civil society, and affected communities.

• Comprehensive forensic audits and lifestyle checks, conducted by independent experts, to trace illicit enrichment and systemic abuse. Offenders must face swift prosecution, with penalties that reflect the gravity of betraying public trust.

• Integration of science and evidence-based solutions in all infrastructure and flood control policies, ensuring that decisions are guided by climate data, hydrological modelling, environmental impact and risk assessments and global best practices.

• Expansion of the Commission’s remit beyond flood control to include all public works projects, recognizing that corruption and inefficiency are not confined to one sector. Roads, bridges, schools, hospitals and transport systems must all be subject to the same rigorous standards of transparency, sustainability and public accountability.

We call on every Filipino – young and old, rich and poor, public servant and private citizen – to rise with courage and integrity.

Let us not be bystanders. Let us be builders of a nation reborn in transparency and honor.

Let the corrupt fall.

Let the truth rise.

Let the Filipino spirit shine.