Opinion

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Opinion

24 Jan, 2026

The Core of Reliability

Severina Mallari

Public trust is not given; it is earned. It is earned through moral courage, ethical consistency, and the demonstrable principle that no one, no matter how powerful, is above the law. For too long, citizens have seen these principles eroded, leading to a deep-seated cynicism about public works.

The creation of an Ombudsman task force to investigate ₱2.42 billion in alleged flood project anomalies linked to the Villar family is a profound act of moral courage. More importantly, President Marcos’s immediate and firm support for this probe signals a critical shift. This is "Maasahan at Masipag" governance in its most vital form: reliable, steadfast, and willing to confront the most difficult challenges to our nation's integrity.

This move isn't radical; it is a return to the foundational principles of public service and moral consistency that our nation has always valued, even if they have been forgotten by some. This is the bedrock of trust.

This administration understands that "Reliable Justice" and "Tireless Accountability" are not mere slogans but a governing philosophy.

While this move will be rightly praised by reform advocates and civic educators, one must question the motives of any individual or group that attempts to criticize or delay this investigation—are they perhaps too comfortable with the old, corrupt way of doing things?

We applaud this firm, ethical, and reform-oriented action. The President has empowered an institution to do its work, and the Ombudsman is fulfilling its constitutional mandate. This is the only path to cleansing the system and building a moral nation.