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I continue my series of articles on the various government agencies and private organizations that are engaged in the investigation or oversight of the flood control anomalies. In the last two articles, I dwelled on the Office of the President, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, the Congressional oversight and investigation committees, and the Financial Watchdogs, to include, among others, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Anti-Money Laundering Council, and the Securities Exchange Commission.

In this column, I continue my discussion on the Enforcement and Investigative Units, which include, among others, the Office of the Ombudsman, the National Bureau of Investigation, and other offices. Where oversight agencies and financial watchdogs identify red flags, enforcement arms are expected to investigate, prosecute and recommend the filing of civil or criminal charges in court or administrative bodies that will impose sanctions on perpetrators who are charged with criminal and civil offenses.

Several Philippine laws provide the legal arsenal for sanctioning both public officials and private individuals involved in the flood control corruption scandal. Chief among these is Republic Act No. 7080 (Plunder Law), which penalizes with life imprisonment and forfeiture of assets any public officer who amasses P50 million or more in ill-gotten wealth. There is also Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), which criminalizes bribery, kickbacks, and undue advantage in public contracts.

The Forfeiture Law of Unlawfully Acquired Properties by Any Public Officer or Republic Act No. 1379 allows the State to recover properties unlawfully acquired by officials or their dummies, even without a criminal conviction.RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees) provides administrative sanctions for disciplinary misactions by government officials and employees. Articles 210-212 of the Revised Penal Code on direct and indirect bribery. Together, these laws form a comprehensive legal framework that enables the government to prosecute, imprison, disqualify, and strip the perpetrators-both in government and the private sector-of their ill-gotten wealth. I will discuss in my forthcoming articles what are the best approaches for tapping the Plunder Law and the Forfeiture Law in proceeding against these flood control criminals to effect swift and severe sanctions.

The Office of the Ombudsman serves as the primary prosecuting agency for corruption and malfeasance involving public officials, empowered to investigate, file, and prosecute criminal and administrative cases before the Sandiganbayan and to initiate forfeiture actions under RA 1379. Working alongside it, the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) represents the State in civil forfeiture and recovery proceedings to reclaim unlawfully acquired properties.

Complementing these prosecution fronts are the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG). The NBI and CIDG, together with the financial watchdogs that I discussed last week, provide the technical backbone of the inquiry. These offices conduct lifestyle checks, digital forensics, data analytics, surveillance, and evidence-gathering to trace money trails and secure documentary proof of collusion between government officials, professional consultants, bank conspirators, and contractors. Moving forward, these law enforcement agencies, together with the Philippine National Police, shall be tapped to enforce the warrants of arrest for those who will be sanctioned with imprisonment judgements.

Meanwhile, the Insurance Commission (IC) plays a vital but often overlooked role in the enforcement of performance bonds, guarantees, and surety insurance policies that cover defective or incomplete public works. Through its regulatory authority over insurers and bonding companies, the IC can compel these entities to pay valid warranty and performance claims, ensuring that the government recovers financial compensation for substandard flood control projects.

Together, these agencies form a complete accountability chain: the NBI and CIDG investigate together with the various financial watchdogs, the Ombudsman and OSG prosecute and recover, and the IC enforces contractual guarantees-closing the loop of prosecution, restitution, and reform, for defective or substandard flood control works and proceed with the filing of criminal and civil cases for the imposition by the judiciary of sanctions on all erring and conniving individuals.

This is part of MCAD Commons, an exhibition project which offers the singular programming of the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD) of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) to a larger audience. It fosters creative development, ideas exchange, and curatorial discourse.

After studying in Manila, Elisa Tan spent a decade in the US and Europe, where she became a respected figure in the arts scene. Her early efforts as a painter of large-scale canvases garnered significant recognition in the mid to late 1970s.

When she moved to Paris in the 1980s, her intellectual efforts to merge word, image, and the everyday finally began to reach their most sustained following.

Her envelope series, expressed in her symbology, is a sequence of ever deeper meditations on what she calls ‘containers for thought.’ Within that framework, she creates space for color, abstraction, the concrete, accident, and the deceptive power of the small scale.

A spiritual crisis led her to stop creating public art. She later converted to Christianity and lived a private life in Baguio, where she passed on. Her work has been archived by her estate.

Elisa Tan: Container of Distance presents the archive of her body of work and a poetic constellation of her ideas.

In connection with this exhibition, there will be talks which focus on scholar-curator Dr. Maria Cristina Juan and professorial lecturer Dr. Flaudette May Datuin. They will conduct conversations to expound on the late artist’s works and creative process. It will be held on Saturday, October 11 at 3 pm.

The Elisa Tan: Container of Distance exhibition is free and available for public viewing from October 10 to November 16, 2025. It is open from Tuesdays to Sundays, from 10 am to 6 pm, except holidays.

Both the display and the discussion will be conducted at the Space63, Comuna, 238 Pablo Ocampo Sr. Extension, Makati City.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Sunday appealed to all sitting government officials – from Congress to Malacañang – to resign and give way to a snap election for a completely new set of leaders.

In a statement posted on his official social media pages, Cayetano said this may be the only way to rebuild public trust in the country’s political institutions.

As he made the call for a snap election, social media buzzed with scenarios of another possible coup in the Senate, this time supposedly to install Cayetano as replacement for Senate President Vicente Sotto III, who himself replaced Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero last Sept. 8.

According to Cayetano, the series of corruption scandals hounding the government ‘has eroded the very foundation of our people’s faith in leadership’ and that genuine accountability requires more than words from public officials.

‘If we are really serious about restoring trust, then let’s go all in,’ Cayetano said. ‘Let everyone resign – from the President down to the last congressman – and let’s hold snap elections.’

‘But here’s the catch,’ he added. ‘None of us who are in office now should be allowed to run again.’

The senator, who currently serves as the minority leader, said his proposal is both symbolic and practical, a ‘national reset button’ meant to show that public service is about stewardship and not self-preservation.

‘Radical honesty means we don’t pretend the system is fine when everyone can see it’s broken,’ he said. ‘If we truly serve the people, then we should be willing to sacrifice our posts for the sake of rebuilding their trust.’

Cayetano’s statement came amid renewed public outrage over a string of high-profile corruption allegations involving infrastructure projects and the misuse of discretionary funds.

Unprecedented call

Political analysts described Cayetano’s call as ‘unprecedented in recent memory,’ noting that while calls for resignation are common, a blanket resignation proposal from a sitting senator is rare.

Cayetano’s ‘resign-all’ challenge echoes earlier reform movements that sought moral renewal in government, such as calls for accountability during the post-EDSA administrations. But unlike past appeals focused on specific officials, Cayetano’s proposal targets the entire political structure.

‘We can’t rebuild trust with the same people who broke it,’ the Minority Leader said. ‘The Filipino people deserve a clean slate, and that starts with us stepping aside.’

Reactions to Cayetano’s call have been mixed on social media. Some praised Cayetano’s candor, calling it a refreshing show of integrity, while others viewed it as political positioning ahead of the 2028 elections.

‘Even if it’s idealistic, it forces a conversation we need to have,’ one netizen commented.

Cayetano ended his statement with a strong reminder: ‘Leadership is not about entitlement, it’s about stewardship. And sometimes, the most honest thing we can do is to let go.

The business community is mourning the loss of Oscar S. Reyes, former president and chief executive of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), who died at the age of 79 last October 3.

Reyes, better known as ‘OSR,’ served as president and CEO of Meralco from 2012 to 2019.

‘With strategic foresight and prudence, he guided Meralco, laid the groundwork for modernization while ensuring regulatory compliance, operational integrity, and execution excellence. True to his philosophy of ‘sweating the assets,’ he maximized value for customers and stakeholders alike,’ Meralco said.

Before his death, he was an independent director at PXP Energy Corp., another Pangilinan-led firm.

Joe Zaldarriaga, Meralco head of corporate communications, said his leadership shaped the way he approach challenges and opportunities alike.

‘I have had the opportunity to work closely with OSR for almost a decade. One thing that I never forgot and I still bring to this day is his remarkable work ethic. He placed a lot of premium on diligence and forward thinking, encouraging us to ‘always be ahead of the curve,’ in his words. From the moment I heard that as a marching order from him I made sure I bring that principle with me every single day at work including in important and crucial personal endeavors.’

Reyes also served as country chairman of Shell companies in the Philippines, and President of Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. from 1997 to 2001, as well as a Trustee of Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc., leaving a lasting impact through his visionary leadership.

‘We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. May we know is remarkable legacy and be inspired by the life he lived,’ said Shell.

Reyes graduated cum laude from the Ateneo de Manila University where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics. He also completed all academic units for a Master’s degree in Business Administration.

FENDI recently announced that, from October 1st, Silvia Venturini Fendi is taking on the role of Honorary President of the Italian luxury brand, following her distinguished creative tenure, which included her direction of the women’s collections during the brand’s centennial year.

In her new capacity, she will focus on supporting Fendi’s heritage while continuing to champion the brand worldwide and promoting the house’s rich history, exceptional craftsmanship, and the world of Fendi Casa.

Silvia Venturini Fendi represents the third generation of the Fendi family. From 1992 until 2019, she seconded the late Karl Lagerfeld in the Artistic Direction. Since 1994, she was responsible for the Accessories and Menswear lines and lately, the Women’s collection.

‘These have been truly exciting years, a journey I have walked also in the name of my grandmother Adele, my mother Anna, and her sisters. My heart turns to Karl, an extraordinary master who granted me the honor of working by his side, teaching me the art of sharing, a defining quality in my family’s history of women, while guiding me to nurture and protect my own creative vision so that I could then fly on my own,’ says Silvia. ‘What a wonderful journey it has been, not only creatively but also from a human perspective: first through my bond with Karl Lagerfeld, then with Kim Jones and with my fantastic team, who over the years has become part of my family.’

‘Since 1992, Silvia has greatly contributed to shape Fendi’s creative direction and has been pivotal to the brand’s international success,’ says Ramon Rose, chairman and CEO of Fendi.

A new creative organization for Fendi will be announced in due course.

Last week

Share prices rebounded, with the main index returning to the 6,100-point level, mainly on bargain hunting.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) gained 81.74 points to close at 6,108.86 points.

The main index was down during the early part of the week, closing at the 5,900-point level during the Monday and Tuesday trading sessions.

‘The local market managed to partially recover some lost grounds in last week’s trading as investors hunted for bargains. However, trading activity was thin implying that market confidence remains weak amid lingering uncertainties,’ Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco, senior research analyst at Philstocks Financials Inc., said.

The average volume of trade reached P5.2 billion, thanks to Tuesday’s P7.49 billion worth of trade, mainly on window dressing of companies.

Foreign investors, who cornered 57 percent of the trades, were net sellers at P4.28 billion.

Other indices posted gains, except for the Property index that shed 30.45 points to close at 2,294.59 points. The broader All Shares index rose 41.05 to 3,685.85, the Financials index inched up by 10.55 to 2,083.19, the Industrial index surged 280.35 to 9,016.39, the Holding Firms index added 52.41 to 4,968.79, the Services index climbed 58.32 to 2,270.26 and the Mining and Oil index soared 1,244.87 to 13,259.22.

For the week, gainers edged gainers 121 to 112, and 28 shares were unchanged.

Top gainers were Nickel Asia Corp., Atok-Big Wedge Co. Inc., Manila Mining Corp. A and B shares, OceanaGold (Philippines) Inc., Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc., NiHAO Mineral Resources International Inc. and Alliance Select Foods International Inc.

Top losers, meanwhile, were Metro Alliance Holdings and Equities Corp. A, Republic Glass Holdings Corp., Citystate Savings Bank Inc., Coal Asia Holdings Inc., Pacific Online Systems Corp., Jackstones Inc. and Pacifica Holdings Inc.

This week

Share prices may decline on news of faster inflation, which could pose a threat to the easing cycle of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) if the rate hits the top-end of its target range.

Tantiangco said investors will watch out for the Philippines’s September inflation data and the BSP policy decision.

‘An inflation rate within the BSP’s 1.5 percent to 2.3 percent projection, especially one biased towards the lower end, may give sentiment a boost. Meanwhile, a rate cut and signals of further policy easing in the near term are expected to help lift sentiment too,’ he said.

‘Investors are also expected to take cues from the movement of other financial markets. A further improvement in the Peso’s position and a further decline in yields are expected to help the market,’ he said.

Meanwhile, 2TradeAsia said global slowdown signals and domestic lethargy suggest a cautious approach, but undervaluation in the local equity mart offers selective upside for nimble investors.

‘While the PSEl’s range-bound struggle and global risks keep sentiment muted, these levels present a strategic entry for long-term capital. Keep focused, pick your spots, and let value guide your moves,’ it said.

It sees immediate support at 6,000 points, secondary at 5,800 points, resistance at 6,200 points.

Stock picks

Maybank Securities gave a buy rating on Converge Information and Communications Technology Solutions Inc.

‘We recently hosted a meeting with CNVRG’s management, engaging a select group of local investors. The discussion provided valuable insights, reinforcing our confidence in the sustained demand for broadband services,’ it said.

‘The recent downward revision in guidance appears to be a temporary setback, primarily attributable to manpower constraints and adverse weather conditions.’

It gave a target price of P20 a piece on the stock. Converge shares, meanwhile, were last traded at P12.38 apiece.

Meanwhile, it retained a buy advise on the stock of International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), mainly on the positive outlook on the country’s ports sector, where the Razon-owned firm has a dominant position.

It noted the strong momentum of the country’s port sector in the first half of the year. The sector is expected to accelerate in the second half.

‘Growth is anchored by resilient consumption and trade, with foreignbcontainers making up the bulk of traffic. ICT, through MICT [Manila International Container Terminal] port’s dominant gateway role, remains best positioned to capture this momentum.’

ICTSI’s shares closed last week at P512 apiece.

AFTER showcasing an exquisite collection at the Bower Museum in California in May, Filipino-American couturier Alexis Monsanto was commissioned by the Art Hearts Fashion Production to present his Spring/Summer 2026 Collection at Art Hearts Fashion at New York Fashion Week this September.

Founded in 2010, Art Hearts Fashion is a ‘leading platform dedicated to bringing innovative designers and artists to the forefront of Fashion Weeks in New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Las Vegas.

‘Monsanto’s presentation is theatrical and high fashion. It sets the tone of the evening. He never disappoints,’ said Erik Rosete, the president of AHF who handpicked Monsanto to headline the show at Angel Orenzans Foundation on September 13.

‘It is always an honor to be asked by Erik Rosete to participate, and then to open the most coveted time slot of Saturday evening. I have done several shows with them in the past, and I was told that we needed to maintain the momentum after I was asked to open the Las Vegas swim show,’ said the Misamis Occidental-born Monsanto.

The New York collection, called ‘Chinoiserie,’ is a further exploration of his ‘Qin Court Collection,’ which is in conjunction with the ongoing exhibition ‘World of the Terracotta Warriors: New Archaeological Discoveries’ at the Bowers Museum Orange County in Santa Ana, California, which opened on May 24 and closes on October 19, 2025.

‘The ‘Chinoiserie Collection’ is totally different from what I presented in May at the Bowers Museum, which was all about the Terracotta Warrior exhibition. I expanded it to Oriental art from the 17th and 18th centuries,’ said Monsanto via email. ‘For instance, the hand-painting on the cape I made was all about landscape and scenery from the past centuries. I also infused cherry blossoms on my embroideries in addition to the existing lotus flowers I previously made.’

True to his haute-couture streak, Monsanto showed his signature elegance and timeless feminine style with menswear inspired by ancient Chinese warriors for good measure. Some of his stupendous designs include a black windowpane shift dress with laser-cut cranes, lotus and koi details; a long sleeves nude bodysuit with cherry blossoms embroidery;

A gray men’s three-piece ensemble and black double-breasted suit with turquoise cascading asymmetrical cherry blossoms; an electric blue bi disc laser-cut design cocktail dress with dragon armor; and a fuchsia phoenix gown with laser-cut design in the center with mermaid ostrich feather skirt.

His finale look is an empress gown with a teal origami top with Swarovski crystals-embroidered column skirt and an impasto hand-painted oversized cape with cranes and oriental landscape with Swarovski crystals embroidery detail.

Monsanto, an alumnus of Otis College of Art and Design in LA and founder of the Alexis Monsanto Atelier in Downtown Los Angeles, collaborated with different artisans for the NYFW collection.

‘I gave them a design direction and the color palette, and then they submitted their interpretation. But I approved it before the execution. Last May, I had Van Cleef and Arpels and Delvaux. This season, I wanted to highlight Filipino artisans like Nanette Catigbe, a painter who has done exhibitions at the Virginia Museum of Art; I had Victoria’s Crafts USA manufacture the minaudiere,’ said Monsanto.

‘IXXIA made the jewelry that added the bling in the collection. Jojo Bragais, the Miss Universe official footwear at the pageant, designed the shoes and boots while the head pieces were truly a work of art with this young artisan, Deepkie Restauro from Cebu City,’ he added.

Dubbed Hollywood’s Newest Fashion Expert, Monsanto’s creations have been worn by Hollywood A-listers such as Charlize Theron, Kate Beckinsale, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Coolidge and Olympic gymnast Simone Biles.

He admits that presenting a collection in the Big Apple is a mind-blowing experience.

‘NYFW is the most revered in the US like Milan, Paris and London in the fashion calendar with the presence of showrooms and buying offices, as well. LAFW comes next since Los Angeles is the manufacturing capital of the US. Big brands are made here, dye houses operate here and the mills and fabric converters are prevalent in Southern California,’ explained Monsanto.

‘Showing in the Big Apple is totally different because you are in the battlefield with the big brands and I don’t have a lot of allies. I felt like the little David against Goliath,’ he shared. ‘Showing in LA is different. It’s my turf, my territory. I am comfortable and I have lots of help from crew to stylist.’

He is confident, though, that he is fully equipped to be at par with the best in the world.

‘My being a perfectionist is often misunderstood because I am very detail-oriented. I am observant and resourceful and I collaborate and make quick decisions along the way when I need to change course and effectively present innovative ideas to my clients and the target market,’ he stressed.

‘To be a world-class designer, it takes a lot. You have to have strong creative and artistic skills and technical expertise in patterns, draping and construction,’ said Monsanto. ‘On top of that, you have to be business-savvy, ready to adapt to stay current by doing constant research on trends, and have a keen forecasting ability.’

IT’S a two-way fight between Chot Reyes and Leo Austria for the Baby Dalupan Coach of the Year trophy as the PBA Press Corps holds its annual Awards Night next week at the Novotel Manila.

Reyes and Austria were the two coaches who won championships in Season 49.

The Tropang 5G fell just short of a grand slam, topping the Governors’ Cup and Commissioner’s Cup but finishing second in the Philippine Cup.

San Miguel foiled TNT’s bid for a season sweep and regaining the trophy considered as the PBA’s crown jewel.

The Coach of the Year will be announced on October 13.

Reyes has won the award six times, while Austria is a four-time winner.

Other awards to be presented during the affair organized yearly by the group of media men regularly covering the PBA beat are the Danny Floro Executive of the Year and the Defensive Player of the Year.

Also to be awarded are the Bogs Adornado Comeback Player of the Year, Scoring Champion, Mr. Quality Minutes, All-Rookie team, Order of Merit for the player with the most Player of the Week citations, and Game of the Season.

THE Special Third Division of the Supreme Court (SC) has ruled that the foreclosure of properties based on improper and unfair interest rates on a bank loan is considered invalid.

In a resolution penned by Associate Justice Ricardo R. Rosario, the Court granted the motion for reconsideration filed by Editha Ang and Violeta Fernandez (borrowers) seeking the reversal of its decision dated November 24, 2021, which favored the United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) in the present case.

Their properties had been foreclosed by the UCPB after they failed to pay back a P16 million loan. The loan agreement allowed the UCPB to adjust the interest rate every quarter based on market conditions.

When the borrowers failed to pay the total loan when it fell due, the UCPB began extrajudicial foreclosure proceedings-a legal process where properties are auctioned off to recover unpaid debts.

This prompted the borrowers to file a petition with the Regional Trial Court (RTC) to nullify the foreclosure sale. They questioned the bank’s sole power to set and increase the interest rate, which they argued was unfair and invalid. While the RTC agreed that the interest rate provisions were invalid because they were left to the bank’s discretion, it did not nullify the foreclosure sale of the properties.

However, the trial court’s decision was reversed by the Court of Appeals (CA) in a ruling issued on May 11, 2015. The CA held that both the interest rate imposed by UCPB and the subsequent foreclosure sale of the properties were void.

The UCPB then brought the case before the SC. While the High Tribunal declared the interest rate imposed by the UCPB as invalid, the SC upheld the validity of the foreclosure sale of the respondents’ properties. The High Court issued its ruling on November 24, 2021,

Acting on the respondents’ motion for reconsideration, the SC ruled that if the interest rate was unconscionable or imposed unilaterally by the lender, then any foreclosure that follows is also invalid.

‘In the instant case, not only was there a finding, both by this Court and also by the courts below, that the interest rates being imposed were unilaterally imposed by petitioner, thus making it potestative or entirely dependent on petitioner’s will,’ the SC noted.

‘Being potestative, the principle of mutuality of contracts, found in Articles 1308 and 1309 of the Civil Code, could not have been present, making the provisions on interest void. Being void, the subsequent foreclosure proceedings could not have been held validly,’ it added.

The SC’s ruling comes two years after the UCPB was acquired by the Land Bank of the Philippines in 2023.

A statement issued on May 9 of that year ‘announced the successful conclusion of the merger’ of the UCPB with the LandBank, ‘following the conversion of all UCPB branches and accounts into its system.’

First of two parts

The number of Filipinos wanting to change the systemic corruption, if not syndicated corruption, has been growing in numbers. Of course, the so-called seasoned activists were at the forefront as they fearlessly vocalized their complaints against any kind of corruption, even before the flood control issues came out. But when more people in government got implicated, investigated, and soon prosecuted due to corrupt activities, civil society groups flexed their strength in numbers in people power fashion a few days ago.

Students protested in and out of their schools. When church leaders echoed the call to action against corruption in pursuit of transparency and accountability, more people joined, including business professionals and retired members of the military. This coalition of forces, spearheaded by the Church Leaders Council for National Transformation (CLCNT), has intensified its efforts as it now calls on the Filipino people to join a Friday habit of a noise barrage and candle lighting every Friday starting October 10, 2025 that will reportedly culminate in a peaceful protest on November 30, 2025 (Bonifacio Day).

It goes without saying, change is urgent. Creating a sense of urgency is the first step of eight steps in the change framework prescribed by Dr. John Kotter, who is one of the more prominent leadership and change management gurus. His 8 steps for leading change have been used by leaders in several organizations around the world.

Kotter thinks that 70 percent of change efforts fail because the leaders fail to take a holistic approach, particularly in considering the first three steps of his 8 step-approach. I think the CLCNT, among many other groups clamoring to end corruption in government, has successfully established the sense of urgency (step 1) and built a guiding coalition (step 2). Malcolm Gladwell calls this guiding coalition as the Law of the Few, others call it as a core group.

Following the subsequent steps in Kotter’s formula, the group has arguably formed a strategic vision, which is ‘No to Corruption’ (step 3) and has communicated it relatively effectively (step 4) across all media channels. The remaining steps will be in Part Two, culminating in Culture Change, which is step 8.

Malcolm referred to Kotter’s last step as the Tipping Point where events are tipped towards long lasting change in the culture. I am not aware whether Col. Harold Cabunoc (Harold) and his team have read any of the books of Kotter or Gladwell. But Harold managed to initiate changes in the decades-long tradition in a military school. I hope these changes will stick and last. A product of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1994, with combat service with the scout rangers and an infantry battalion in Mindanao, he is currently the Commandant of the Philippine Army Officer Candidate School (OCS).

Similar to PMA, the OCS has developed some training methods that some call inhumane while others call them necessary to build leaders in the Army. Among the many practices, perhaps short of hazing, the ‘dumbguardship’ mentality where juniors are treated like robots is so entrenched both in the PMA and OCS. Junior officers are taught to blindly disobey orders even if not proper, to accept any punishment even if unwarranted, and just to shut up instead of speaking up. After all, obedience is an essential ingredient of a good leader. Thus, the OCS orients these officer candidates, despite being college degree holders or licensed professionals, to see themselves as dumbguards first!

However, Cabunoc explicitly declared to his core team and to his recent batches of officer candidates, ‘malpractices that you have experienced outside shall not be brought here inside the Officer Candidate School.’

In my conversation with Harold, he proudly shared that the training methodology he and his team introduced in 2023 has moved away from the outdated, impractical, irrational practices of being a dumbguard. He knew at the onset that culture change does not happen overnight. Perhaps following the formula of Kotter, Harold has slowly removed the dumbguardship mindset in the OCS, by first establishing the sense of urgency among his core group composed of PMA and OCS graduates.

Based on the statistics he showed me when I was invited to talk before the OCS classes of 63-2025 and 64-2025, it appears the OCS is well on its way to meaningful transformation, slowly but surely!

In the spiritual realm, one of the doctrines that is very challenging for every believer is how to transform from the old to the new. Man became inherently sinful yet he was challenged to get rid of the old and put on a new self. ‘You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.’ (Ephesians 4:22-24).

The new self is reflected in the way we interact with others. Our actions and words serve as proofs that we are gone with the old because Jesus has paid the price for our sinful nature. And it certainly helps if believers are in a small group in getting rid of the old self!

Putting on the new self does not happen overnight, as in any meaningful change-whether in our corrupt government or in the OCS dumbguardship. Change, in eyes of Kotter, Gladwell, and Cabunoc, is a process that occurs over time. It will be a continuing struggle.

My daughter Regina and I pray that our leaders in government will invoke the aid of the Holy Spirit within them so they can look to become more like God in all they do. All of us should be reminded that we need to rely on God to help us, as mandated in the Preamble of the 1987 Constitution where it said, ‘We, the Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God.’

Whatever leaders do would have far-reaching effects. Col. Harold Cabunoc has successfully made a compelling case to end the desires of pride, ego, and self-recognition in the traditional Army leader (old) and to introduce the concept of serving before leading (new), at least in the OCS, where he wields influence as Commandant. After all, the big sign at the OCS says, ‘Service is the only reason why I am here.’ The future of the Army looks bright, since I think Harold has embraced and realized that good leaders are servants first. Dumbguards No More?!

Siegfred has a diversified set of education and experiences which has made him a game changer and a servant leader in organizations such as the Philippine Army, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Malcolm Law Offices, a US based software development company called Infogix Inc., University of the East, Bureau of Immigration, Philippine Airlines and SM Prime Holdings. His professional degrees came from the United States Military Academy at West Point in New York, Ateneo Law School, and University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA. He has delivered leadership and management talks in government agencies. Siegfred is a former soldier and a lawyer by profession, a teacher by passion, and a writer with a mission.