In a powerful commentary published on December 5, 2025, writer Reni M. Valenzuela poses a series of piercing questions that cut to the core of the Philippines' enduring struggle with corruption. The piece, titled "Tell it to SunStar," moves beyond surface-level analysis to interrogate the very spirit of public dissent and the government's proclaimed crusade against graft.
The True Measure of a Protest: Heart Over Headcount
Valenzuela challenges the prevailing metric for success in public demonstrations. Why do we measure rallies by the number of people that join them? The author argues that this focus on quantity misses the essential point: protests are about collective heart and moral conviction, not mere attendance figures. This reframing questions whether society has grown fatigued with the noble act of demanding accountability, suggesting that the persistence of corruption requires an equally persistent and heartfelt response from the citizenry.
The commentary expresses bewilderment at the public's continued shock over corruption revelations. Why do we whine as if corruption is new? it asks, implying a dangerous amnesia about the nation's long history with graft. In this context, protest marches are not trivial gatherings but vital expressions of collective outrage and united action, essential for moving otherwise indifferent officials to act.
Scrutinizing the Government's Anti-Corruption Campaign
A central thrust of the piece is a direct examination of President Ferdinand "BBM" Marcos Jr.'s anti-corruption drive. Valenzuela questions whether the President's actions are merely reactionary rather than intentional. The author demands to know what concrete steps are being taken, or not taken, to address the malaise in notoriously corrupt agencies.
The list is extensive and damning: the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Department of Agriculture (DA), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), National Food Authority (NFA), Land Transportation Office (LTO) with the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Education (DepEd), and even local government units (LGUs).
This leads to a critical inquiry: must crimes based on fate occur before the President acts? The piece advocates for proactive, preventive measures to stop corruption before it happens, rather than a cycle of scandal and reaction.
Budgetary Woes and a Toothless Commission?
The analysis extends to the nation's financial blueprint, the General Appropriations Act (GAA). Despite lawmakers' claimed due diligence, the national budget is described as still looking "pale and sickly." The piece critically references the practice of "insertions"—last-minute budget allocations—hinting that these serve private interests even after the budget's passage. It calls for a scrutiny of agency budgets guided by wisdom and humility, invoking the biblical verse Matthew 10:16.
Significant doubt is cast on the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), the body tasked with investigating anomalies in public works. Valenzuela questions its independence and effectiveness, labeling it a "toothless body" that may be performing its mandate merely for show. The mysterious departure of Babes Singson from the ICI is cited as a point of concern, fueling speculation about the commission's true purpose and autonomy.
The author proposes that if the government is genuinely serious, it should create similar investigative bodies for other corrupt agencies, rather than being "sensational and ineffectual at the same time."
A Nation Awakening to a Long-Standing Reality
In a shift towards a more hopeful perspective, the commentary asks why Filipinos are shocked by the continuous exposes of theft in agencies like the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). It suggests we should be thankful and happy to be awakened from a deep slumber, finally seeing the reality and magnitude of the crookedness that has long plagued the nation.
The piece references the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index, which consistently ranks the Philippines among the world's most corrupt nations—a trend the author traces back to the death of the beloved President Ramon Magsaysay in 1957. This nostalgia for a simpler, more restful past is contrasted with the current tumultuous awakening.
Perhaps the most potent question is whether we should celebrate instead of complain. A nationwide anti-corruption spirit is described as a prevailing "phenomenon" or "mystique" among Filipinos from all walks of life. This collective vigilance offers a slight glimmer of brightness, a long-deprived hope that the current administration is not as "numb and dumb" in dealing with corruption as its predecessors.
However, skepticism remains. The piece questions whether President BBM and the ICI are being selective in targeting crocodiles and crooks in DPWH projects, potentially protecting themselves or other powerful figures connected to them.
The Root of the Evil: Political Dynasties
Valenzuela identifies a fundamental cause of the nation's ills: political dynasties. The author posits that much of the robbery, plunder, and abuse in government stems from this entrenched system. The piece invokes the haunting lesson of the Ampatuans' fat dynasty in Maguindanao and their "kingly heinousness" as the ultimate ground for the nation to rid itself of political dynasties for good.
The commentary concludes not with answers, but with a cascade of questions directed at the reader, the president, and all Filipinos. It leaves the audience to ponder where the answers lie, perhaps within themselves. The final call to action is a biblical verse from Ephesians 5:14: "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." It is a resonant plea for a national awakening, not just from corruption, but from the complacency that allows it to thrive.
