ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, a strong phrase synonymous to the 1986 People Power Revolution, is starting to gain traction anew amid a public outrage over massive corruption perpetrated by no less than the “powers that be.”
This comes as retired police and military generals have joined the call for accountability amid congressional investigations into the anomalous government-funded flood control projects across the archipelago.
In a strongly-worded statement, retired military and police officers, mostly generals, expressed outrage at the wanton disregard of government officials — including elected officials, flaunting lavish lifestyles and fortunes amassed through corruption.
The retired military and police officials also took a swipe at the government’s neglect as manifested in the predicaments hounding ordinary taxpayers.
STERN WARNING
Describing the government as tainted with systemic corruption, the retired uniformed men urged the administration to seriously consider the idea of replacing flawed systems with a responsive mechanism that would effectively prevent crooks from siphoning public funds.
Citing revelations from resource persons in congressional investigations, the group hinted at government officials “acting as contractors” for government infrastructure projects.
“We demand that this corrupt system be replaced with a system of transparency, accountability, and people’s participation that makes it harder to be bad and easier to be good,” reads part of the statement.
During the third hearing conducted by the senate blue ribbon committee, couple Curlee and Sara Discaya submitted a sworn affidavit tagged 17 members of the House of Representatives.
Aside from congressmen, likewise dragged into the ghost flood control projects were eight officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
MOSTLY GENERALS
The signatories included military men from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, to wit former AFP chief of staff General Renato de Villa, Major General Rene Valencia, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Admiral Danilo Abinoja, Philippine Constabulary (PC) Colonel Plaridel Abaya, Lieutenant General Edilberto Adan, Philippine Air Force (PAF) Col. Guillermo Cunanan.
Also on the list are Philippine National Police (PNP) Lieutenant Colonel Alejandro Flores, former AFP chief General Victor Ibrado, Philippine Navy (PN) Vice Admiral Emilio Marayag, Philippine Army (PA) Brigadier General Manuel Mariano, Navy Vice Admiral Mateo Mayuga and Army Brigadier General Eliseo Rio Jr.
Others on the roster of dismayed officers are PAF Major General Melchor Rosales (and baron of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1968), former Bureau of Land Transportation director Colonel Mariano Santiago, former PNP Director-General Recaredo Sarmiento II, Army Commander Lieutenant General Raul Urgello, former AFP chief of staff General Alexander Yano, Brigadier General Rodrigo Diapana, and Navy Rear Admiral Rommel Jason Galang.
RELIGIOUS LEADERS
The call for accountability also involved religious leaders, including Caloocan Bishop Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, Lingayen Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas, Vatican Curia member Bro. Armin Luistro FSC, Bro. Bernard Oca FSC, and Fr. Roberto Yap SJ.
The Catholic bishops who signed the manifesto demanded the return of public funds lost to corruption in flood-control projects, warning that Filipinos will remain exposed to disasters so long as billions of pesos meant for protection end up in private pockets.
Relatedly, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines also issued a pastoral letter that was read in churches across the country.
“Justice cannot stop at punishment… True justice demands more than punishment. It also calls for restitution: that stolen wealth be returned to the public coffers from which it was taken,” reads part of the CBCP pastoral letter.
SYSTEMIC CORRUPTION
Taking cue from “bombshells” dropped” during the televised inquiries, bishops have expressed doubt on the credibility of congressional hearings even as they insisted that legislators don’t have the moral ascendancy to investigate themselves.
According to the CBCP, a huge chunk which goes up to 60 percent of the project cost, are swallowed by a “multi-layered system of commissions,” leaving only scraps for actual construction, for which contractors are compelled to make use of what is left after “commissions” are deducted.
Hence, substandard results — if not none at all.
In lieu of “congressional investigations in aid of legislation,” religious leaders hinted at the need for an independent commission to look into the brouhaha — including but not limited to ghost flood control projects and other budget insertions.
They also gave a premium on accountability among legislators, engineers, auditors, contractors, and financiers among others.
“[Accountability] must apply to both public officials and private contractors. Blacklisting is not enough; collusion in corruption is a crime and must be punished,” they added.
MEN WITH INTEGRITY
Former DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson, who previously declined an offer to assume the DPWH top post also signed the manifesto, along with former Senate President Franklin Drilon, former Finance Secretary Ramon del Rosario Jr. and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong.
Various groups also joined the call for accountability — De La Salle Brothers Philippines, De La Salle Philippines, Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), Makati Business Club (MBC), MUP (Military & Uniformed Personnel) 4 United PH; Ateneo de Manila University, Ateneo de Naga University, Ateneo de Davao University, Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan, Xavier School San Juan, Xavier School Nuvali, Loyola College Culion, and the PHINMA Education Group.
