Truth, accountability, reform

Amid the masses and rallies being held almost daily now, the statements and manifestos being issued, and investigations of all degrees of credibility, I read a news item that gave me pause. Early last week a group called Team RP, composed of students and young professionals, held a concert for “truth, accountability and reform.” These have become the buzz words of the moment, and it seems even the grossest crooks are calling for truth, accountability and reform. But the group’s spokesman, one Harvey Keh, made the following statement: “We lament the fact that the real issue of a dysfunctional government procurement system has been muddled by questions on credibility, political noise, partisan interests, personal ambitions and a web of spins that only make the controversy more scandalous than truly beneficial to legislation and policy change.” While they are not calling outright for anybody’s resignation, they are “pushing for fundamental and genuine reforms in government,” and want to pursue the truth behind the ZTE-NBN scandal and make guilty persons accountable to the public. “Even if Joey de Venecia, Romulo Neri and Jun Lozada are found guilty in an impartial investigation of the issue, then they should also be made accountable,” Keh added.

“The root issue in this unfolding saga of corruption is a flawed Government Procurement Act and bureaucratic system. But for some reason, the public is made to think that the issue is just Lozada’s credibility, Neri’s conscience, Abalos’ guilt and GMA’s involvement and that when all those are dealt with, the problem is solved.”

I am greatly encouraged by that attitude, because only when we go beyond personalities and deal with issues can we have true and lasting change. The heady moment of triumph is fleeting; the clean up and rebuilding that comes the morning after is much more difficult and takes a lot, lot longer. Thank goodness for these young people who recognize that, and I pray that they – and legion others will join them – will keep on that path so we can truly, finally, rebuild our nation.

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Last week’s article “Beyond Haw Flakes and Ma Ling” by Clinton Palanca was previously published in iReport of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ). We apologize for inadvertently leaving out the attribution.

Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way.