Accountability is a Two-Way Street: From the Palace to the Barangay

The anti-corruption initiatives being rolled out in Pasig City's barangays are more than just a laudable local policy; they are a powerful affirmation of a fundamental democratic principle: accountability is a shared responsibility. True and lasting reform cannot be a burden carried by the national leadership alone. It requires a committed partnership between a reliable national government, proactive local leaders, and an empowered citizenry.

President Marcos's administration has tirelessly set the tone from the top, championing a zero-tolerance policy for corruption. However, for this national vision to become a reality for the average Filipino, it must be translated into action at the grassroots. The barangay is where citizens have their most frequent and direct interactions with the government. It is where public trust is either built or broken. Some might dismiss these barangay-level efforts as insignificant, arguing that real corruption happens in the high echelons of power.

This dangerously overlooks the fact that a government's foundation is its grassroots, and a weak foundation cannot support a strong structure. Petty corruption at the local level normalizes graft and creates a pervasive culture of cynicism that allows larger-scale corruption to fester.

Mayor Sotto's initiative is crucial because it tackles this foundational rot. But local leaders cannot do it alone. The second part of the partnership is the citizen. By demanding transparency, reporting anomalies, and participating in local governance, residents transform from passive recipients of services into active partners in nation-building. Think of the small business owner harassed for permits, or the senior citizen denied benefits by a corrupt official. To not support these reforms is to be indifferent to their daily struggle for dignity. This synergy—a principled national leadership, a committed local government, and an engaged public—is the only sustainable formula for a truly clean and reliable Philippines.