Indignation

The current tenor of the Filipino people has turned into rage, a plea for accountability on who should be responsible for the flood control projects controversy. I'd like to call it an indignation of some sorts, which, based on internet definition, is anger or annoyance provoked by what is perceived as unfair treatment. The whole shebang is more than unfair, it's an insult to Filipinos whose hard-earned money landed in the wrong hands. Others joke that the people's taxes became a source of funding for the lifestyle of the rich and lavish, but for many of us, this is no laughing matter. It's a betrayal.

It’s valid for Filipinos to feel as such, to be stolen from what was supposed to be an entrusted fund to the nation. Truth be told, it’s beyond our control to give a portion of what we earn and buy to the treasury. These are all legislated. Frankly speaking, we don't have a choice. However, the power of the people gives us an option to join in the commotion and air our legitimate concerns. People are drowning in flood when the heavy rains pour, while those who are benefitting from the project are drowning in their ill-gotten wealth.

At this point, we now see how important it is to push for collective action. History tells us how marching in the streets led to a pressure on the sitting leadership to flee the country. In many instances in Cebu, a mass movement resulted in policy change where those in power finally listened to the voices of the underserved. No voice is too small when it’s for the welfare of everybody.

I commend the different movements left and right because they are organized with the sole purpose to condemn what's happening in our country today. It is an expression that our money should be appropriated to the right projects. Imagine what billions of pesos could do: it could build more schools, provide more pay to teachers who are overworked, and be used for better programs in relation to disaster preparedness. All we ask for is honesty and integrity in the scope of works laid out for every infrastructure.

Our local chief executives are also not blind to the situation. Despite knowing that the jurisdiction of the Department of Public Works and Highways is of the national government, they are asserting their governance over the locality. It's about time the leadership of those in the different towns, cities, and provinces be respected. We don't wish for chaos, although chaos is also beautiful on its own when it's born out of justice. We simply want to expedite the investigation and sentence those who have been enjoying the act of stealing. Corruption breeds and seeps through the different offices in government. It weakens institutions and distorts priorities. It’s about time this ends.