STOPPING PLUNDER AND LOOKING FOR ACCOUNTABILITY

STOPPING PLUNDER AND LOOKING FOR ACCOUNTABILITY

(100% credit to Dr. Ted Mendoza)

By now, many of us have seen the shocking figures compiled by Dr. Ted Mendoza on alleged corruption and misuse of public funds during the current administration. Imagine—₱1.48 trillion possibly lost or misappropriated in just three years. The list includes questionable insertions in the General Appropriations Act, anomalies in flood control projects, and the controversial Maharlika Investment Fund. Add to those billions from PhilHealth, GSIS, SSS, and even small business recovery funds. If all these are true, we are not just talking about lapses but acts that could fall under the Anti-Plunder Law itself.

It is a good thing that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is bringing this out into the open. In his speeches, he has linked corruption to disasters like flooding, pointing to anomalous projects that fail the people in their time of need. This is a welcome development. For once, the highest official in the land is saying plainly that corruption is real and must be stopped. It is a good trend that the President himself is leading the charge.

But then we must ask: will the President succeed? Hopefully, he could at least stop or weaken corruption during the rest of his term. The challenge is enormous because corruption in the Philippines has become systemic. It is deeply embedded not only in agencies but also in the political culture itself. Too many projects are designed not for public service but for private gain.

This is why the President cannot fight this battle alone. The Department of Justice (DOJ), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and of course the Office of the Ombudsman must all work together. It is one thing for the President to denounce corruption, but another thing entirely to build airtight cases, prosecute, and convict those guilty of plunder.

The law is clear. Under Republic Act 7080, plunder involves amassing at least ₱75 million in ill-gotten wealth through a series of criminal acts. It is a non-bailable offense punishable by life imprisonment and perpetual disqualification from public office. The Filipino people deserve to see this law in action—not just in textbooks or court archives, but in real life.

At the same time, let us not be naïve. Allegations of plunder on this scale raise the uncomfortable question of leadership accountability. Can anomalies of this magnitude happen without the knowledge—or at least the negligence—of those at the top? The doctrine of command responsibility, often cited in military contexts, should apply here too. If the President is serious about fighting corruption, he must welcome investigations even within his own circle. That is what real accountability looks like.

What can we, as citizens, do? Vigilance is key. Civil society groups, the media, and even schools and universities must keep pushing for transparency and justice. Every peso lost to corruption is a peso stolen from classrooms, hospitals, and disaster response funds. It is not enough to expose scandals; we must insist on recovering stolen wealth and putting plunderers behind bars.

If the figures Dr. Mendoza cites are anywhere near accurate, then the damage is massive—not only to public coffers but also to public trust. And once trust is lost, rebuilding it becomes harder than recovering the money itself. That is why this fight must be relentless, not selective, and not timed only for political convenience.

So yes, let us give credit to President Marcos for bringing the issue to light. But let us also hold him to his word. Speeches are not enough. What the people want to see are convictions, asset recoveries, and institutions strengthened against future abuse.

In the end, the choice is simple: either corruption continues to define our politics, or accountability begins to redefine our nation.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com

12-02-2025 

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