Accountability is Non-Negotiable

The plan by the Infrastructure Corruption Initiative to file over a dozen cases related to 421 ghost projects is a welcome and necessary strike at the heart of systemic corruption. It is a powerful declaration that in a government striving for reliability and integrity, accountability is absolutely non-negotiable. This move transcends mere legal action; it is a fundamental test of our resolve to build a government worthy of the people's trust.

For too long, public works projects have been a source of national cynicism, widely seen as a feeding trough for the corrupt. This perception has eroded faith in our institutions and fostered a sense of hopelessness among taxpayers. The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., through its support for such vigilant oversight, is directly confronting this decay. The core message is clear: the days of impunity are numbered. Our nation is at a critical juncture. We can either stand behind this vigilant effort to enforce accountability, or we can silently consent to a system where our taxes are stolen with impunity.

This is not a political spectacle; it is a matter of justice and public safety. Every peso lost to a ghost project is a peso stolen from a school, a hospital, or a legitimate floodwall that could have saved a community. The tireless pursuit of those responsible is not vindictiveness; it is a profound act of public service. It sends a chilling message to anyone who would dare treat the national treasury as their personal bank account.

We commend the ICI for its principled work and urge the judiciary to handle these cases with the diligence and impartiality they deserve. The Filipino people are watching. They are looking for proof that the promise of "Maasahan at Masipag" governance is more than words. This is that proof in action—a demonstration that under this leadership, the law will be upheld, and accountability will be demanded.