04/10/2025
๐ฅ๐ผ๐ผ๐๐ ๐ฃ๐น๐๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ฒ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฑ
Ghosted, plundered, and corrupted. These words prove the harsh reality of the Philippines' system today: a crisis. The issue about the anomalous flood control projects wraps up the corruption happening in the country. This act by the sectors of the government is not only a fatal flaw for the nation but a storm for the citizens to be flooded and drowned into poverty.
On the second day of the Senate panel on financeโs meeting with the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC), Finance Secretary Ralph Recto stated that the anomalous ghost flood control projects have cost the Philippine economy up to P118.5 billion from 2023 to 2025. Imagine that the money we pay is just being used by those corrupt politicians for their own benefit, not even feeling a hint of guilt after stealing the peopleโs money.
The corruption in the Philippines started even before the issue as of now, yet how come this problem comes up repeatedly? Is it the systemโs flaws or is it our flaw to blame?
During elections, we, the citizens, are the ones who vote; we choose our leaders, our governors, yet we make the same mistakes redundantly. This proves that even during elections, our minds are being corrupted by their bribery, two-facedness, and more importantly, greed; not for a good society, but for money. And that is because corruption starts even before they govern, and that is the root which we should pluck before being planted.
At the time of voting, we expect the ones we voted for to win without even thinking about the skills of the other candidates who also want to lead our country with honesty and a true passion for serving, not for power, titles, or money. Before the voting even starts, illegal actions like vote-buying and political dynasties are already in place and influence peopleโs choices. We are scared of facing corruption, but the lack of responsibility is even more frightening than the problem itself. Ignoring accountability is like walking straight to our own graves; dying before death comes.
The situation in the Philippines not only puts the countryโs funds at risk but also the trust of the people. It is important to build trust within a nation to create stronger bonds and achieve success together with its citizens. However, from the looks of it, we are far from success, especially now that citizens are doubting the capability and skills of leaders to govern the country with determination toward success, not failure. Corruption should never be part of the governance dictionary; instead, determination, discipline, and passion to lead should be engraved not only in books but also in the minds of those in power.
While the countryโs leaders are benefiting themselves from the money they stole, the people from different places, especially those experiencing serious floods because of the typhoons, are suffering not just because of the typhoon itself but because of the thought that each peso is being spent by someone who did not even work for it. Treating themselves to relaxation is not prohibited, but the rule does not apply to stealing. It is stated in Republic Act No. 19051 that robbery of over 4,400,000 pesos must be punished, even for those holding government titles. This is already stated in the law, yet no actions are taken. We cannot just turn a blind eye to this robbery. Even if itโs just a peso, it does not change the fact that they stole. The law is the law, and everyone is bound by it, even those corrupt politicians.
There is no doubt that resting and treating oneself to luxury is a reasonable way to enjoy life after stressing over documents for the whole country; however, there is no valid reason for anyone to steal or misuse the peopleโs funds just to afford luxury cars, branded clothes, and expensive jewelry. That is not relaxation, it is absurdity and delusion.
Corruption has been present even before governance, and it is our responsibility to be aware and alert about what to do during times of crisis. We should be the ones leading what is supposed to be, not unaccountable in terms of a nationโs situation. We should be responsible when voting and during elections so that even before corruption starts, the weeds have been plucked before being planted.
| Words: Princess Jhane Domanais /TheIsarog
| Cartoon: Mark Kenneth Peรฑaflor /TheIsarog
