“The real test of character isn’t when the world is watching. It’s when no one is around, and you still choose what’s right. Integrity is doing good quietly. And that’s what last.” — (Power of positive thinking)
They never learn. They don’t really care about the welfare of the people. They have consistently used their positions for self-aggrandizement and personal advancement. They are thick-faced, and their audacity in denying their misdeeds only aggravates the situation to the point of insulting the ability of the Filipino people to comprehend the extent of their thievery.
Of course, there is always the principle of presumption of innocence and any person accused of a crime is considered innocent unless proven otherwise. But after the denials and repudiations, one was even overheard swearing to God that he was blameless, the evidence, testimonies, and circumstances surrounding their culpability are slowly emerging and gravely diminishing whatever little decency is left in them.
They really never learn. At least four of these senators who are being implicated in the flood control project scams have been, at one time or another, charged in the court of law. Oh yes, they got away with it, barely.
Former senator Bong Revilla was cleared by the Sandiganbayan in connection with the pork barrel scam case, but the blemish remained. Senator Jinggoy Estrada was twice incarcerated for plunder and bribery. He was acquitted, but at least 11 cases are still pending. Senator Joel Villanueva was also charged with plunder in relation to the pork barrel scam, and cases for graft and malversation remain pending before the Sandiganbayan as of June 2025. The Ombudsman ordered his dismissal, but the Senate did not enforce the order, citing the separation of powers.
They did it before; there’s no reason to believe they can do it again. However, these accusations have to be proven in a court of law.
Comes now former Senate President Chiz Escudero. His denial was forthright. Not even with the CCTV footage that shows him strutting at the House of Representatives, not even if all the roads point to his office. Not even if his privilege speech focused on his accusations against former Speaker Martin Romualdez.
But the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has recommended the filing of charges against 21 individuals, including him.
One thing is certain, though. After the smoke in the Blue Ribbon Committee settles, and after the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has concluded its probe, heads will roll, and some big shots are going to jail.
That thing is certain.
The people have had enough of this crap. They are angry. We are angry. At the end of the Second World War, our country came out of the trenches with a lot of promise. We were ahead of everybody else in Asia. There was a collective sigh of relief.
We have vast natural resources and a resilient spirit to go with them that can overcome all adversities. We were, for all intents and purposes, poised for greatness.
But long years of subjugation from foreign powers never taught us the strength of character to become nationalistic. The inherent love of country was lost in the trepidation of political bankruptcy and corruption, and it has become systemic.
The corrupt insulares, principalias, and creoles who dominated the political scene during the Spanish era were of the past. But the mestizo landowners during the American rule and their equally dishonorable landed regional kingpins have emerged as the new political powerhouse.
And boy, did they dominate politics. This bred a new kind of monster, the political dynasty. This time, everybody and his brother wants power, money, and influence.
The promise of a better tomorrow gave way to corruption, political clout, and the degradation of society. The system promoted the rich and influential, and pushed the poor further down the drain of misery.
This malady has been going on since God knows when. It took President Marcos Jr. to unbox this evil. It is now imperative upon each and every one of us to rally behind the President and call for retribution.
Let’s call a thief a thief. No amount of denial and negation can expunge their accountability. The government should set an example. Put these brigands behind jail. No ifs and buts.