The sense I get of the present public temper is considered one of exasperation with our politics and the large corruption that plagues our authorities. There appears to be a powerful undercurrent of dismay that ought to fear BBM.
Perhaps it’s the climate that has made folks extra irritable, much less forgiving of corruption. The rains have introduced leptospirosis and floods and persons are dying.
The DPWH has spent an estimated P2 trillion for flood administration for the previous 15 years – or P350 million a day, Sen Ping Lacson mentioned. But, the issue persists.
Public hospitals are overcrowded and underfunded, and persons are pressured to beg for assure letters from their congressmen to be given care.
Our officers inform us to be affected person as a result of we’re a poor nation. Really, we’re simply poorly ruled.
The excellent news is, BBM appears to get it. He realizes there’s public disgust over how the nationwide price range was was legalized looting of the nationwide treasury final yr. The conspiracy was led by the Speaker, BBM’s cousin and the Senate President. And BBM signed the price range with all its faults.
Now BBM says he wouldn’t signal any Common Appropriations Act (GAA) that’s not aligned with the administration’s precedence applications and tolerates fund misuse.
Whereas the unprogrammed portion of the 2026 price range nonetheless accommodates precedence tasks, the excellent news from Sec. Vince Dizon is that he was simply given allotted or programmed funding for the North South Commuter Rail and Metro Manila Subway tasks. He mentioned he was additionally given programmed funds to cowl proper of manner necessities.
Nonetheless, BBM noticed that going after corruption will assist him earn public help, one thing he wants in his persevering with battle with the Dutertes.
BBM inspected a flood management challenge in Calumpit, Bulacan, and expressed dismay over indicators of poor workmanship, together with structural gaps and metal reinforcements not embedded accurately.
BBM mentioned the contractor, St. Timothy Development, could be summoned to elucidate the challenge deficiencies. He ordered tracing of the stream of challenge funds and figuring out those that licensed the challenge as full regardless of the evident shortcomings.
However will BBM do greater than the preliminary photo-op inspection? Prices have to be filed and heads should roll. Straight away!
Filipinos have grow to be very skeptical of PR-driven anti-corruption drives of Philippine presidents. Nobody has gone to jail after the Napoles scandal throughout PNoy’s administration.
Even then, the actually huge photographs accused with Napoles are scot-free, some had been even elected to the Senate. Our anti-graft courtroom has but to convict a giant shot, apart from Erap, who was instantly pardoned by GMA.
For this reason BBM should quick monitor anti-corruption circumstances involving public works tasks. An ultra-rich DPWH official was supposedly allowed to quietly retire. BBM should make him clarify.
The Economist had this headline in an article final weekend: “Sara Duterte, the Philippines’ doable subsequent president.” That ought to scare the daylights out of BBM as a result of if that occurs, he and his household must go on exile earlier than Sara’s inauguration.
It’s no secret that the Dutertes nonetheless have a large following. A latest survey confirmed a paucity of potential contenders with an opportunity of defeating Sara within the subsequent presidential election.
The great authorities varieties and the Duterte trolls are specializing in corruption. This places BBM’s administration on the defensive.
The corruption tag is now sticking with BBM and the Speaker. That makes it important for BBM to point out he can chop heads and ship folks to jail on corruption fees.
In fact, the corruption of the Dutertes can be legendary however for the second, it’s BBM who’s in energy and able to cease corruption.
The Economist warns that “with the Dutertes resurgent, the dynastic dispute might disrupt the remainder of Mr. Marcos’s presidency… abnormal Filipinos would be the greatest losers.”
For this reason BBM should present straight away he is aware of how you can use his huge powers. He did it as soon as when he despatched Duterte to The Hague. For BBM’s personal good, his lackadaisical days should finish.
First, have the BIR audit all of the contractors he has named based mostly on DPWH data. Have the outcomes printed on the Malacañang web site. Do that quick, as in two weeks tops.
Second, have the SALNs of DPWH officers over the previous 5 years analyzed and in contrast by a good non-public audit agency towards a way of life verify. Let the audit outcomes be publicized as nicely.
Third, work with Comelec and DPWH to research information on contributions of contractors to candidates and file fees in order that politicians may be disqualified from public workplace and contractors criminally charged, fined and jailed. Ask Comelec to sue even Chiz if solely to show the massive canines a lesson. Kailangan might ma-sampolan.
Fourth, expose pork funded infra tasks of politicians together with Polong Duterte. Evaluate measurement of funds to challenge outcomes.
Fifth, appoint an Ombudsman with a monitor document of preventing corruption. The Appearing Ombudsman BBM appointed is mostly unknown to the general public and there’s no cause to hope the workplace won’t waste seven years just like the final one. Perhaps the Ombudsman can begin contemporary by permitting investigative reporters to entry SALNs once more.
Sixth, all confidential funds apart from the navy’s ought to be publicly audited.
Lastly, BBM must also pay the taxes that the Supreme Courtroom has affirmed his household owes. This offers him a stake within the Nationwide Treasury and an excellent cause for him to guard it from political thieves.
BBM will not be a candidate in 2028 however he should win huge time public help between every now and then. In any other case, he will likely be handing the presidency to Sara on a silver platter.
A Sara Duterte win is extraordinarily harmful to BBM and his household. Will probably be off to exile once more and Deputy Speaker Sandro can kiss his budding political profession goodbye.
Boo Chanco’s e-mail tackle is [email protected]. Comply with him on X @boochanco
