The events that unfolded in the Senate on June 4, 2026, have raised serious questions about the state of accountability and transparency in the Philippines.
Despite the ongoing leadership dispute in the Senate, the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing chaired by Senator Pia Cayetano pushed through and proceeded with the participation of 18 former Marines who appeared as resource persons in the investigation into the alleged flood control scandal.
What caught the attention of many observers was the reported difficulty encountered by the resource persons before they were eventually allowed to enter the Senate premises. At the same time, Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian reportedly maintained that no hearing was scheduled for the day. Yet the hearing continued, led by senators determined to pursue the inquiry.
For ordinary Filipinos, this situation creates an unavoidable question:
Why is there so much resistance surrounding an investigation that seeks to uncover the truth about billions of pesos spent on flood control projects?
Flood control is not a minor issue. Every year, thousands of Filipino families suffer from flooding, damaged livelihoods, destroyed crops, and loss of property. Taxpayers have the right to know whether public funds intended to protect communities were properly spent.
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has historically served as one of the most important mechanisms for investigating possible corruption and misuse of public funds. Whenever efforts are made to delay, obstruct, or weaken such investigations, public suspicion naturally grows.
From my perspective, the controversy surrounding this hearing sends a troubling signal. Whether intentional or not, actions that create obstacles to the investigation may be interpreted by the public as a lack of enthusiasm in pursuing accountability.
The administration may argue that procedural rules, Senate leadership disputes, and questions of legitimacy must first be resolved. That is a valid institutional concern. However, the greater concern of the Filipino people is discovering the truth behind the alleged flood control anomalies.
The appearance of resistance—especially when investigations involve large infrastructure expenditures—can undermine public confidence in government institutions.
Transparency is not demonstrated by words alone. It is demonstrated by allowing investigations to proceed without unnecessary hindrance, ensuring resource persons can testify freely, and permitting evidence to be examined wherever it may lead.
If there is no corruption, a thorough investigation will clear the names of those involved.
If corruption exists, those responsible must be held accountable regardless of political affiliation.
The real issue should never be who controls the Senate. The real issue is whether the Filipino people will obtain answers regarding the use of their money.
History teaches us that governments earn public trust when they welcome scrutiny, not when they appear to avoid it.
For this reason, I believe the flood control investigation should continue openly, transparently, and without political interference from any side.
The Filipino people deserve nothing less than the full truth.
