By Robert B. Roque, Jr.
Amid the glimmers of hope painted across the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) last week, it’s disheartening to discover that 47% of Filipinos have grown accustomed to the haunting specter of corruption in government.
According to the recent Pulse Asia survey, our kababayans seemingly bear this burden with resignation, and public outrage appears to have waned into mere acceptance.
Still, some say we should keep sight of the positive side. The survey reveals that 84% of us recognize the pressing need to bolster the fight against corruption through more assertive national agencies and laws.
Corruption’s impact on trust in government services and public officials is undeniable, and it’s high time we rejuvenate our belief in transparent, accountable, and responsive governance. Indeed, we can’t wait for our officials to have a sudden change of heart.
The call for digitalization is a step in the right direction, but it’s only part of a multifaceted solution. Embracing a culture of integrity and actively collaborating with the private sector will be pivotal.
We stand at a crossroads where acknowledging the detrimental effects of corruption on our economy and ordinary citizens must propel us toward collective action. Our top officials must be forewarned that their constituents will not just sit around and watch in frustration forever.
Timid leadership
China’s audacious actions in the West Philippine Sea are nothing short of a sickening insult to the sovereignty of the Philippines. The continued harassment of Filipino fishermen and the blatant incursions into Philippine territory by Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels demand swift and resolute action.
Yet, we witness a timid response from the President, who seems content with mere lip service. Thankfully, the Senate’s resolution last Tuesday, initiated by Senate President Migz Zubiri and Sen. Rissa Hontiveros, is a commendable step in condemning Beijing’s belligerence.
However, it falls short of holding China accountable for its transgressions. What’s troubling to me is BBM’s feeble assertion that foreign policy lies solely in the hands of the executive. That line of thinking is a cop-out, a convenient excuse to avoid confrontation with China.
The Philippines must shed its timidity and display true leadership on the international stage. It is time to take decisive action, not merely diplomatic protests or UNGA resolutions. The Filipino people deserve a leader who fiercely defends their territorial integrity and rights. Failure to stand up to China’s bullying only emboldens further aggression.
President Junior must rise above complacency, support the Senate’s efforts, and take bold measures to protect the West Philippine Sea. The world is watching, and history will judge us for our actions — or inaction — against an overreaching superpower.
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