WITH ALL CERTAINTY, the flood control scandal has grown beyond control for which the government suffered a significant drop in public trust – and only a light at the end of a dark tunnel could possibly restore its dignity.
According to civic leader Dr. Jose Antonio Goitia, the fact that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. opted to take a stand against corruption is a positive indication for the nation.
He likewise described the president’s firm stance as a “renewal of moral governance” seen to restore confidence in government institutions.
“The President’s message is simple but powerful,” enthused Goitia in his capacity as chairman emeritus of Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya (ABKD).
Goitia pointed out that “no money should go to waste and no one should be above the law—this is the kind of leadership that earns the trust of the people.”
Vowing that every peso in the national budget must reach Filipino families and not get lost in bureaucracy or misuse, Marcos formed the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to look into irregularities in flood control and public works projects.
He also ordered a long-overdue update of the Investment Coordination Committee guidelines. Accountability, the President said in a previous report, applies to everyone, regardless of rank or position.
According to Goitia, Marcos’ decisive move marks a break from the politics of convenience: “At last, we have a leader who isn’t afraid to clean up his own ranks.” Forming the (ICI) sends a clear message that accountability is not a slogan but a principle. The President is proving that honesty still belongs in government,” he stressed.
The civic leader also emphasized that the reforms initiated by the chief executive are not mere words but concrete steps toward genuine reform even as he asserted that simplifying government processes and improving coordination among agencies will reduce duplication, red tape and waste.
“This administration isn’t just talking about change. It’s doing the work. For the first time in years, there’s a clear sense of direction and discipline. Every project is now measured by how much it helps ordinary Filipinos,” he cited.
He reminded everyone that the real fight is not between politicians but against corruption itself: “The true enemies of progress are corruption, incompetence, and abuse of power. That is where the President is focusing his energy, and that’s where the people should stand with him.”
In conclusion, Goitia brushed aside political noise meant to distract from the administration’s reforms, describing these as the same old tactics designed to divide and derail progress, and yet he disclosed that this time, the public knows better and people can see who’s working and who’s merely talking.
“The government is doing its part to fix the system. Now it’s our turn to do ours,” he said. “Support honesty. Reject corruption. Speak up against waste. This is a fight for everyone.
“President Marcos isn’t just balancing the books. He’s rebuilding the nation’s trust. This is how a country truly rises, not through noise and division, but through unity, integrity, and hard work. The Republic stands stronger today because we finally have a leader who chooses what is right, even when it is not easy,” quipped Goitia who also serves as convenor of People’s Alliance for Democracy and Reforms (PADER), Liga Independencia Pilipinas (LIPI), and Filipinos Do Not Yield (FDNY) Movement.
