IN a political climate often cluttered by accusations and conjecture, it is refreshing — perhaps even reassuring — to witness a government that chooses sobriety over spectacle.
The Supreme Court’s decision on the constitutionality of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) provision on idle funds has triggered a range of reactions. Yet the national government’s posture remains steady: Respect the ruling, comply with it fully, and continue serving the Filipino people with prudence and transparency.
Lost in the public noise is a vital truth. The Department of Finance (DOF), under the leadership of then-secretary Ralph Recto, acted precisely within its mandate and within the four corners of the 2024 budget law. Congress itself authorized the sweeping of idle funds from GOCCs as a fiscal tool. The DOF implemented the directive exactly as intended.
Equally important is where the funds went: to settle the long-overdue health emergency allowances of frontliners. At a time when the nation’s lifelines were stretched thin, this decision ensured that commitments to pandemic heroes were finally met.
It must also be emphasized that well before the Supreme Court’s ruling, President Marcos ordered the restoration of the P60 billion to PhilHealth. The significant budget increase to P113 billion for 2026 is a testament to a government that safeguards universal health care — not merely in words, but through resources.
This is why the narrative of wrongdoing collapses under scrutiny. There was no diversion. No diminution of PhilHealth’s mission. No abandonment of the public trust. What stands instead is a record of lawful action, fiscal responsibility and immediate government response.
The Court has clarified the boundaries. The executive has honored them. The people will benefit from both.
In the end, responsible leadership is not about avoiding criticism. It is about doing what the law allows, what the moment demands, and what the nation deserves.
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An uninvited guest.
Last week, House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos appeared before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), even if he was not among those invited by the body tasked with investigating the highly anomalous government infrastructure projects.
He was implicated after his name was dragged by resigned lawmaker Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co into the flood control funds anomaly, accusing him of effecting a P50.9 billion in the national budget.
The presidential son categorically denied Co’s allegation. And his decision to voluntarily face the ICI without having to be invited speaks for itself. According to the lawmaker, he went before the commission entirely of his own accord, guided not by obligation but by a sense of duty. He showed up because he believed it was the right thing to do.
Rightly said.
Unfortunately, on the other side of the fence, another former presidential son funked out.
Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, who had earlier declared he doesn’t fear any investigating body and said he would clear his name 100 percent before such body, had refused the ICI’s invitation flatly, saying the ICI is just being used as propaganda machinery by the Marcos administration.
Honestly, I don’t agree with Duterte’s assertion. On the contrary, he could have used the ICI probe as a vehicle to further his own agenda. The investigation is being livestreamed, so he could simply ask his supporters (or trolls) to monitor the hearing, immediately posting commentaries should they think the questioning is going out of hand that they could establish it is simply being used to pin him down. That could actually make good propaganda material for him.
Unfortunately, Pulong doesn’t see it that way because he knows, at the back of his mind, he could not address the concerns of the ICI regarding the handling of the flood-control projects in his district.
For the record, Pulong got P51 billion for his district from 2019 to 2022, which Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson claimed was beyond the absorptive capacity of Davao City’s first district. So, where exactly did that P51 billion go? Maybe Pulong has no ready answer for that.
This is not the first time the Dutertes and their allies have run away from the challenge or braggadocious statement they themselves had posed.
Last July, Pulong’s brother, Acting Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, challenged former PNP chief Nicolas Torre to a fistfight, which the latter accepted, even upping the ante by transforming their duel into a live boxing bout. Baste was a no-show.
Also, earlier this year, Sen. Ronald de la Rosa said he was hoping the International Criminal Court, which now has custody of former president Rodrigo Duterte, would allow him to join the former president in his cell at The Hague so he could personally take care of him.
But after word that an ICC warrant for his arrest would soon be served leaked, de la Rosa immediately went into hiding.
Just a piece of unsolicited advice for the Dutertes and their allies. Next time, please don’t utter any word you cannot stand by.
