Operatic probes, politicians, COMELEC, and Mayor Vico

By Reni M. Valenzuela

Take politicians out of the “DPWH mess” investigations. The people are tired of government circus and bedlam. Melodramatic. Delusive. Stop it.

Real clowns take offense when they are compared with politicians because they do their clowning purely and sincerely for entertainment, not for concealment, embezzlement, “atonement,” and hidden agenda.

The DPWH people are partners with “public service” crooks in robbing from the nation’s coffers through substandard and ghost flood control projects. Hence, thus, therefore and wherefore, for what sane reason will we allow the tandem “Batman” and “Robin” to investigate themselves? C’mon. Common sense. What is debatable about it, Joker?

Were there no allegations of over PHP 142 billion worth of “insertions” in the 2025 national budget earmarked mostly for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) by the Senate president (no less) during the secretive, deceptive, dark bicameral conference? Blatant, covertly.

Don’t you think, Mr. Juan dela Cruz, that we need and deserve a new leadership in the Senate with a heart that goes to truly serving the nation and our people—not to serve a personal ambition, partisanship concerns, and vested interests?

Doesn’t such very serious allegations warrant an in-depth probe, not to mention the other reported anomalous “links” and irregularities wherein some other senators are likely involved? Suspiciously, the above-mentioned insertion fundings were channeled or all meant to be channeled to so-called “infrastructure and flood control” projects that are riddled with red flags.

There must be some lofty, crazy “political ambitions” involved herein, re the raising of campaign (loot) funds at this early stage for the suspected subject senators who are aspiring (secretly) to run for president and vice president in 2028. Their alibi: “The money will go back to the people after all.” Bulok.

Alas! It is no different from their equally, madly, collusively ambitious counterparts in the Lower House. Oh, the cunningness/evils of politics. This is clearly one rotten fruit/result (among several others) of our rotten, stupid electoral laws, system and process.

Dearest Commission on Elections (COMELEC), why make running in an election, much less for the top two positions of the land, insanely, foolishly, wildly too costly for the candidates (greedy, psychotic candidates)—at the expense of the whole country? Bakit nga po ba kasi?

No wonder, only the wealthy, popular and dirty get to be elected every election. Poor “would-be heroes” among the poor, truly wise, well-intentioned and noble-hearted.

And why 40 is the required age for running as president of the nation, negating and squandering youthful idealism, stamina and gallantry among the “unqualified” or most qualified to become our president? A case in point is Mayor Vico Sotto, a brave, God-fearing, real public servant—a man of wisdom and probity, who would be turning just 39 by the next presidential election come 2028.

Note that most of our national heroes were youths when they did their grand, selfless, heroic exploits for the country. They were in their prime. Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio and Apolinario Mabini, for example, were only in their 20s when they started doing what they are led to do in order to liberate the country and later be hailed (unknowingly) by the coming generations as great Filipinos, worthy of emulation and eternal honor.

Rizal died at 35, Bonifacio at 33 and Mabini at 38—all short of the required age of 40 to become president of the Philippines. Lament. Do something about Mayor Vico’s age or eligibility for him to become our next president—lest the nation goes to the dogs in 2028 and thereafter.

To my dear countrymen and our government officials outside of Congress: What’s the point of allowing the blue ribbon committee to lead in the investigation of the numerous, anomalous DPWH transactions? K-drama. Waste of time. Absurd.

Doesn’t the situation call for everyone to use all colors except blue (at least at the senators’ level) in getting into the bottom of all these thieveries and ignominies that continue to unfold and unfold big time?

Behold, the House of Representatives has just concluded its own first version of the “flood” vaudeville yesterday. But what can the good ones among them do, if the majority of the members of their hallowed (hollowed) chamber are stout in shielding their masters? Circus, indeed.

Let there be an independent investigating body composed of concerned private individuals, bothered former government officials and upright/brave watchdogs in the media—to lead in and conduct the investigation. Do away with operatic probes. The idea or proposal of Senators Tito Sotto and Kiko Pangilinan pertinent to the matter at hand is partly what I mean.

It behooves President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to form a separate, autonomous body called IPC or Independent People’s Commission (as proposed) to be headed by former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales and Mayor Benjamin Magalong, ex-COA chairperson Heidi Mendoza, Prof. Cielo Magno, and a few other good men in the country—not necessarily “technocrats” or “legal luminaries.”

Pray for the truth to come out—to set us all free, Filipinos and Filipinos at heart. It is no accident that the logo of the DPWH includes a praying hand in the middle. AMEN.

By the way, why did Secretary Manuel Bonoan resign so suddenly or rather why was BBM forced to boot him out abruptly? Answer: “The fish is caught by its mouth.”

The more Bonoan talks and defends himself and his people amid the brewing scandals/controversies that beset his leadership in the DPWH, the more he shows his true self and true color as a government official.

He first said in a House hearing that the cases of corruption in his department are “isolated.” Out of tune. Now comes another crooning from the man in a video posted on the DPWH social media account just a few days ago, shortly prior to the president sacking him or asking him to resign.

“We all want to solve this problem that only arose through actions of a few involved or rogue personnel. That’s why we are calling on everyone to cooperate.” Sintunado po talaga. What a leadership!?

Bonoan seems to be more concerned in preserving the “good image” of DPWH, the most corrupt agency, than in unraveling the truth about what unravels before our very eyes. Not all in the DPWH are bad for sure, but the words of Mr. Bonoan may come only from officials who have so much insecurity and so much to hide.

Further he announced in the same video, “I proudly say to all of you: there are more decent and hard-working people in the DPWH.” What can be more myopic and deranged than that? I love you, sir. There’s nothing personal about this. Mensahero lang po. “Open rebuke is better than secret love.” – Proverbs 27:5.

“Yet the Lord has not given you a heart to perceive and eyes to see and ears to hear, to this very day.” – Deuteronomy 29:4.

Bonoan called for everyone to “cooperate” when it was his cooperation that was most needed from the start by simply and quickly tendering his goodbye letter to Malacañang—out of delicadeza, out of humility, out of dignity, out of love for country, and out of shame.

Ergo, BBM couldn’t wait a day longer. Kudos.

Email: renivalenzuelaletters@yahoo.com