Category: Philippine Star

Mon Confiado and Jericho Rosales play Emilio Aguinaldo and Manuel Quezon, the Philippines’ first and second presidents, in TBA Studios’ upcoming movie “Quezon.”

However, given the chance, the two actors would not attempt to throw their names into the political arena.

At a press conference for “Quezon” last October 7 at the historic Manila Hotel, both Rosales and Confiado were asked if they would consider entering politics.

Both answered in the negative, with Confiado first saying he never had interest in politics nor did it ever cross his mind to become a politician, and to strike his point home he admitted being unable to handle the responsibility without knowledge on governance.

To explain his answer, Rosales shared about his recent trip to Tanzania and South Africa with his girlfriend Janine Gutierrez, and singled out a walking tour in Cape Town about the late Nelson Mandela.

The anti-apartheid activist Mandela previously served as president of South Africa and was a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

“We just need leaders who really care, genuinely and sincerely care,” Rosales quoted what a guide said at the end of the tour.

Rosales said that everything can be learned – pointing out he bounced around schools, learned English from watching television and never finished college – including acting and the arts, but what separates individuals is a commitment to lead.

“‘Pag wala sa puso mo at hindi talaga genuine sa’yo ang pag-care at pagsilbi sa isang tao, hindi mangyayari ‘yun, ano pa ang isang bansa?” Rosales posited.

The actor stressed his craft is his biggest love, and rhetorically asked how could he set that aside for a position of power.

“Paano ko sasabayan ang isang bokasyon at ang pamumuno ng isang bansa,” Rosales ended. “Hindi biro maging presidente, so ang hinihiling namin ay ang puso mismo ng isang presidente.”

Starring with Rosales and Confiado in “Quezon” are Karylle, Romnick Sarmenta, JC Santos, Angeli Bayani, Bodjie Pascua, Joross Gamboa, Ketchup Eusebio, Jake Macapagal, Therese Malvar and “Game of Thrones” star Iain Glen as Leonard Wood.

Benjamin Alves will reprise his role as a younger Quezon while Arron Villaflor and Cris Villanueva will once again play the fictional character Joven Hernando at different ages.

“Quezon” directed and co-written by Jerrold Tarog will hit Philippine theaters nationwide beginning October 15.

The government’s coconut agency is drafting new standards for charcoal made from the tropical fruit, a move aimed at modernizing production, improving product quality and supporting the country’s coconut sector.

The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) said it is developing the Philippine National Standard (PNS) for coconut shell activated carbon, a material widely used in water filtration, energy and industrial applications.

‘This standard serves as reference for industry stakeholders in product development, training, trading among others,’ read the foreword of the 10-page draft.

A technical committee was created to oversee the development of the standard, composed of representatives from universities, government agencies and industry groups.

These include the University of the Philippines Los Baños, Bicol University Guinobatan, Visayas State University, Central Luzon State University, Saint Paul University Surigao, Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization, Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Plant Industry, the Department of Trade and Industry’s Export Marketing Bureau and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority.

The roster also includes the Philippine Activated Carbon Manufacturing Association, Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers, Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers, Industrial Technology Development Institute and the Forest Products Research and Development Institute.

The draft standard sets rules for coconut shell charcoal that has been physically processed to make it highly porous, allowing it to filter liquids and gases and recover minerals.

It is intended for industrial and environmental uses and is not meant for direct consumption by humans.

The draft standard also relies on internationally recognized testing methods to ensure product quality.

It sets benchmarks for key characteristics of coconut shell charcoal, such as particle size, density, hardness, moisture and filtration ability, while aligning with local industry practices.

This would make it easier for those that will be locally produced to meet both domestic and global market requirements.

According to market research firm Chemical Research Insight, the global coconut shell activated carbon market was valued at $974.67 million (P57.6 billion if $1 = P59) in 2023 and is projected to reach $1.34 billion (P79.1 billion if $1 = P59) by 2029.

Cagayan Gov. Edgardo Aglipay wants cases filed against the owners of the four heavy trucks that crossed the Piggatan Bridge in Alcala town at the same time, which he blamed for the collapse of the bridge Monday afternoon.

Designed to carry up to 18 tons, the 45-year-old bridge likely fell apart due to overloading, according to initial investigations. Each of the four trucks reportedly weighed over 50 tons.

Alcala Mayor Tin Antonio, for his part, criticized the aging bridge’s limited load capacity, calling it ‘impractical’ for a major highway. She said waiting for infrastructure to fully deteriorate before replacement is ‘unacceptable.’

Antonio urged the government to inspect bridges all over Cagayan, following the disaster that cut off northern Cagayan from the provincial capital Tuguegarao.

Major rerouting has been implemented in the area, with light vehicles advised to take the Piggatan circumferential road, while heavy trucks were rerouted to Baybayog, Alkala-San Jose, Baggao-Capissayan or Dummun (Gattaran) roads.

Cause still under study – Dizon

Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon said that the agency is still conducting an assessment of the bridge to determine the cause of its collapse.

Dizon, at a press briefing yesterday, said he was set to go to the bridge collapse site today and check with the district and regional personnel of the DPWH in Cagayan Valley.

‘We will know today or tomorrow what was the cause (of the bridge collapse),’ Dizon said.

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) will lead an investigation into the alleged anomalies in flood control projects and related infrastructure, Malacañang said.

Palace Press Secretary Claire Castro said that despite the appointment of former Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla as Ombudsman, the ICI will not be abolished, as it will focus on the alleged anomalies in flood control projects.

“Ang Ombudsman kasi hindi lamang po tutok ito sa flood control projects. Marami pong kaso na dapat pagtuunan ng pansin ang Ombudsman. So, hindi po natin nakikitaan na ito ang dahilan upang gibain or wakasan ang trabaho ng ICI,” Castro said in a press briefing with reporters on Wednesday, October 8.

(The Ombudsman is not solely focused on flood control projects. The Ombudsman has many cases that need attention. Therefore, we don’t see this as a reason to dismantle or end the work of the ICI.)

Castro explained that relying solely on the Ombudsman may take a long time to finish a single case, and with the ICI’s help, the prosecution of individuals may be expedited.

“Kailangan po talaga na may isang independent commission na siyang tututok at magkukolekta, mag-iimbestiga ng mga dokumento para po kapag naibigay po ito at mairekomenda for filing, rirebyuhin na lamang po ito,” Castro said.

“At kung tapos na po ang pagri-review at nakitang mayroon dapat na sampahan ng kaso, mas mabilis magsasampa ng kaso ang DOJ at ng Ombudsman,” she added.

Up to ICI for their transparency. Castro also said that it is up to the ICI to determine how they will ensure transparency in the flood control probe.

“Tama po. Ang Pangulo po, sa lahat ng mga pagkakataon gusto may transparency. Sa lahat ng pag-iimbestiga dapat may transparency, walang tinatago,” Castro said.

(That is correct. The President, at all times, wants transparency. In all investigations, there must be transparency; nothing should be hidden.)

“Pero kung paano po ito gagawin ng ICI, kung papaano po ito maisasapubliko, kung papaano po sila magiging transparent at hanggang saan, nasa ICI na po iyan. But still, ang Pangulo po ay sinusulong din po ang transparency sa lahat ng pag-iimbestiga,” she added.

(However, how the ICI will do this, how they will make it public, how they will be transparent, and to what extent, that is up to the ICI. But still, the President is also pushing for transparency in all investigations.)

On Wednesday, October 8, the ICI asked the Department of Justice to issue immigration lookout bulletins on 31 government officials.

The request targets over two dozen current and former lawmakers and officials involved in the ongoing probe into anomalous public works projects.

As Titan Ultra begins its PBA journey, coach Johnedel Cardel exhorted his Giant Risers crew to unlock their inner beast mode.

‘Sinabi ko sa lahat na sana maging Calvin Abueva kayo,’ shared Cardel, placing the team’s hard-playing and high-intensity veteran as model ahead of their debut in Season 50.

‘Maging matapang kayo kasi ‘yan ang kailangan dito sa PBA para tumagal ang career ninyo. Hindi pwedeng soft dito. Kailangan kung pogi kayo, makipagpalitan na kayo ng mukha sa mga pangit para dumepensa.’

Whether his charges have embraced the Abueva way will be known beginning today when the Giant Risers hit the court against heavyweight Meralco in Day 2 of the golden season at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

The match is set at 5:15 p.m. to be followed by the duel between holder San Miguel Beer and NLEX at 7:30 p.m.

Cardel, the former Terrafirma coach who’s making a comeback with the new club, counts much on ‘the Beast’ and Season 49 Most Improved Player Joshua Munzon to lead the way for young guns like Cade Flores, Fran Yu and Chris Koon.

And it’s a stern test for the Titan right away, with a Bolts side headlined by Chris Newsome, Cliff Hodge, Chris Banchero, Raymund Almazan, Bong Quinto and the comebacking Allein Maliksi as first opponents.

‘I have to admit that we’re still young, but we have a complete lineup and we will give the strong teams a good fight without saying, ‘Kuya. Kami ay lalaban din,” Titan governor Emilio Tiu vowed.

Singapore and Philippine-listed Del Monte Pacific Ltd. (DMPL) intends to raise as much as $600 million through a private placement aimed at addressing capital deficit following the deconsolidation of its US business.

DMPL said the company’s management is looking at an equity raise through private placement at Del Monte Philippines Inc. (DMPI).

The size of the offering will be announced by the company, but the estimated amount of funds to be raised from the share placement is eyed between $500 million and $600 million.

A share dilution is expected as part of the planned equity raise, but DMPL is expected to maintain a controlling interest in DMPI.

The equity raise through private placement at DMPI ‘aims to reduce the group’s leverage and address the capital deficit resulting from the recent impairments relating to the US business.’

DMPL’s management expects the equity raise to help unlock value and enhance the group’s overall valuation.

DMPL said that DMPI’s balance sheet has the capacity to support the proposed capital raise, which is seen helping reduce financing costs, replacing higher-interest debt with equity that carries a lower dividend yield.

The company also said that considering the overall market sentiment in the Philippines and the group’s current position, an initial public offering is not a viable option at this stage and it is instead looking at private placement as the fastest way to raise equity at present.

US subsidiary Del Monte Foods Holdings Ltd. and certain subsidiaries have commenced voluntary Chapter 11 proceedings in the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey on July 1.

DMPL said the US business had been deconsolidated and its results presented as discontinued operations.

It said that the move ensures that uncertainties in the US operations do not affect the company’s continuing core businesses.

Fandoms will collide following the announcement of a surprise collaboration between Jisoo of the Korean girl group Blackpink and former One Direction member Zayn Malik.

Jisoo had been teasing a duet with an unnamed male artist for the new digital track “Eyes Closed,” eventually revealing the collaborator was Zayn.

“A duet is near,” one post teased, while another said, “Two voices, one orbit. Coming soon.”

The artist even shared a snippet of the song after confirming Zayn as her duet partner.

“We should fall in love with our eyes closed, better if we keep it where we don’t know,” goes part of the chorus sung by both artists. “The nights we’ve been in, the names and the faces of who we were with.”

“Eyes Closed” is Jisoo’s latest piece of music after her “Amortage” extended play earlier this year that featuring the tracks “Earthquake,” “Your Love,” “Tears,” and “Hugs and Kisses.”

The Korean singer is currently on a world tour with Blackpink, which will make a stop in the Philippines this November, just several months after Jisoo staged her first solo fan meet in the country.

Zayn had previously attended one of Blackpink’s concerts in New York last July with Khai, his daughter with ex-partner Gigi Hadid.

The British artist recently announced that he will be having a residency in Las Vegas beginning January next year and will be reuniting with fellow One Direction alum Louis Tomlinson for a Netflix docu-travel series.

Amid the flood control scandal, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has been appointed as ombudsman, declaring he will spare no one being linked to corruption, including Vice President Sara Duterte and her supporters.

Remulla, who gave the clearance for the arrest of the Vice President’s father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, by the International Criminal Court, succeeds Samuel Martires, whose term ended in July.

After being officially informed of his appointment yesterday, Remulla said he is taking the job ‘amidst a firestorm’ of issues, especially the flood control scandal. He vowed to ‘sort out this mess’ and prosecute those accountable.

‘There will be no sacred cows, no exemptions and no excuses. Public office is a public trust, and those who betray it will be held accountable,’ Malacañang said in announcing the appointment of Remulla.

The formal announcement of Remulla’s appointment was preempted last Sunday by President Marcos’ elder sister and Duterte ally Sen. Imee Marcos, who described the incoming ombudsman as ‘unworthy’ and ‘tainted with injustice.’

Justice Undersecretary Fredderick Vida will serve as DOJ officer-in-charge.

Malacañang brushed aside criticisms of Remulla’s designation, maintaining that the Marcos administration ‘remains firm in its commitment to fight corruption wherever it exists.’

‘As ombudsman, Remulla is expected to uphold transparency, strengthen anti-corruption measures and ensure that justice is administered fairly and efficiently,’ the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement.

Asked to react to concerns that Remulla would not be impartial as an ombudsman, PCO Secretary Dave Gomez said the justice chief went through a ‘very stringent process’ required under the Constitution and was vetted by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC).

‘I don’t believe there is basis to that concern,’ Gomez told reporters yesterday. ‘We have the highest confidence in Secretary Remulla. He will be very impartial when he assumes his new role as the ombudsman.’

Pressed about Remulla’s advantage over the other candidates, Gomez replied: ‘At the end of the day, after the President receives the recommendation of the JBC, it is still the decision of the President after he receives the shortlist.’

Remulla was appointed the 59th secretary of the Department of Justice in June 2022. According to the PCO, the DOJ under Remulla advanced major reforms to modernize the justice system, decongest prisons, accelerate case resolution and expand access to legal services.

Remulla’s decades of service as a legislator, governor and lawyer have earned him ‘broad respect for his integrity and commitment to public service,’ the government’s lead communication arm added.

President Marcos ‘reaffirms that transparency, fairness and the rule of law will remain the guiding principles of this administration’s pursuit of a Bagong Pilipinas that truly serves the Filipino people,’ Gomez said.

The incoming ombudsman completed his political science and law degrees at the University of the Philippines.

No weaponization of law

Interviewed after his appointment, Remulla vowed more transparency in the ombudsman’s investigations. He also vowed not to weaponize the law against the administration’s political foes, addressing critics who claim he would be an attack dog against the allies of the Duterte family.

‘The law will not be weaponized, I’m making sure of that,’ he said.

‘There should be no weaponization of the office. There should be real gathering of evidence, strong evidence that would be presented to the courts. We want continuous and speedy trial,’ he added.

He also vowed to give the media and the public greater access to the operations of the Office of the Ombudsman.

‘I think there will be more interviews and news coming from the ombudsman’s office when we start there. I think it’s a necessity because the people are really craving for transparency and accountability,’ he said at a press briefing.

‘It’s not just prosecutorial, it’s also the voice of the people. Whatever the government needs to do should be closely watched by the ombudsman,’ he said.

He also plans to introduce ‘crowdsourcing mechanisms’ to allow the public to submit leads or information that could help in the investigation of erring officials.

Remulla said he expects to be sworn into office by Oct. 9 and buckle down to work the following day.

His marching orders from President Marcos, he said, is to ‘prioritize the accountability of public officers.’

ML party-list Rep. Leila de Lima said Remulla should prove that he is more loyal to the people than to the President who appointed him as ombudsman.

‘Now more than ever, we need a true tanodbayan – an ombudsman who is loyal to the people, not to the one who appointed him. This remains to be seen with the newly appointed Ombudsman Boying Remulla, who must prove his independence,’ De Lima said in a statement.

‘Now that we have an ombudsman, the investigation and filing of cases, not only in the anomalous flood control projects, but also in the rampant corruption, plunder and collusion in government,’ De Lima said.

‘He should not favor anyone, he should not spare anyone. He should listen to the voise of the people who are too angry with corruption,’ she said.

Akbayan party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña said Remulla, as new ombudsman, should allow public access to the Statements of Assets Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) of government officials.

Cendaña said the new ombudsman should also ‘begin the process of filing criminal cases against those involved in the massive flood control corruption.’

He said the previous ombudsman ‘became a barrier to transparency and accountability of public officials,’ referring to Samuel Martires, who restricted public access to SALN of government officials.

Sharp legal mind

Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. said President Marcos’ appointment of Remula was an acknowledgement of the former justice chief’s sharp legal mind.

‘That fact was known to the President and that was what mattered. As justice secretary, Remulla served the country with exemplary distinction. He infused energy and meticulousness into how the DOJ did its work to pursue justice for Filipinos,’ Garbin, a member of the Commission on Appointments, said in a statement.

‘Not even health issues could stop him because even from the hospital, he was running the department. He chose his team well because it ran efficiently while he was recovering. As soon as he was well enough, he returned to the DOJ with even more fighting spirit,’ he added.

For Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, the appointment of Remulla as ombudsman ‘is an important addition to the country’s accountability mechanisms, particularly in bringing to justice the perpetrators of corruption in flood control and infrastructure projects – whoever they may be and whenever these acts may have been committed.’

In a statement, Ridon said Remulla is empowered to initiate both administrative and criminal proceedings against all individuals found liable for the plunder of public funds like public works officials, legislators, executive officials and government contractors.

For Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, Remulla’s appointment as ombudsman is a ‘mockery of our Constitution.’ He said Marcos appointed Remulla to conceal corruption issues besetting his administration.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Appointments yesterday deferred the confirmation of the ad interim appointment of retired Supreme Court justice Jose Mendoza as a member and as a retired justices’ representative in the Judicial and Bar Council.

The CA committee on justice and the JBC deferred Mendoza’s confirmation and recommendation to the plenary due to ‘lack of material time.’

Mendoza’s confirmation was deferred after Senator Marcos questioned the JBC’s leniency in the application for the ombudsman shortlist of Remulla.

Marcos and her allies blocked Remulla’s application by filing cases and disbarment against Remulla before the Office of the Ombudsman for his role in the arrest and turnover to The Hague of former president Duterte.

Remulla was appointed to the ombudsman post despite the controversy.

During her interpellation of the applicant, Sen. Marcos questioned the JBC’s inclusion of Remulla in the shortlist despite their opposition.

Mendoza said the JBC cannot disclose their closed-door discussions about the applicants. He also noted that Remulla was able to obtain a clearance from the ombudsman for his application.

The ombudsman’s dismissal of the complaint against Remulla convinced the members that the latter was qualified to be included in the shortlist, Mendoza said.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has shut down three resorts found to be operating illegally within the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape in Rizal.

The Danum Baker Resort, Erin’s Place and Lihim na Batis have been issued cease and desist orders for allegedly operating without the required permits from the DENR.

The closure order was served on Oct. 3 by a composite team led by DENR Assistant Secretary for legal affairs and enforcement Norlito Eneran, DENR-Calabarzon director Nilo Tamoria and Rizal provincial environment and natural resources officer Ramil Limpiada.

After coordinating with the local government of Baras, the DENR team padlocked the main gate of the Danum Baker Resort in the presence of the resort caretaker.

The team installed a chain and signage marked ‘CLOSED,’ reinforcing an earlier notice of violation issued by the DENR.

At Erin’s Place and Lihim na Batis, which share a common entrance, the team found the main gate already locked and unattended.

To allow residents from nearby communities who rely on the route to pass through, the team opted not to padlock the gate.

Instead, a signage marked ‘CLOSED’ was also attached on the common gate of the establishments to inform visitors and excursionists that the resorts are no longer available.

The three resorts were among nine establishments operating within the protected area that were issued either cease and desist or show-cause orders.

The DENR said that among the facilities ordered to stop operating, only the Danum Baker Resort, Erin’s Place and Lihim na Batis were found to have defied the closure order.

The remaining six establishments have since complied and ceased operations.

The Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape, a critical watershed supplying water to Metro Manila and nearby provinces, has long been under environmental pressure due to illegal structures and tourism activities.

The brazen corruption surrounding flood control and infrastructure projects is like acid poured on the nation’s wounds. It lays bare how government officials squander hard-earned taxes for personal gain while showing no regard for the people’s welfare. They put millions of Filipinos and their livelihoods in peril to floods while laughing all the way to the bank.

Yet, rather than wielding the full force of the presidency to hold the guilty to account and plug the loopholes in the system, President Marcos has met the scandal with a misplaced reliance on a toothless commission – the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI).

Weak leadership

The Filipino people would have wanted the President to match its rage (which he professed to share) with decisive actions. These were the steps expected of him:

First, immediately suspend persons of interest – not just contractors and middle-rank DPWH executives, but legislators as well. Any official under credible suspicion should have been relieved of duty pending investigation, not protected by political shields.

Second, the ombudsman and DOJ should have been strengthened and granted full operational autonomy to pursue cases without political interference.

Third, the assets of all persons of interest should have been frozen to prevent laundering or concealment, alongside the swift issuance of hold-departure orders.

Fourth, the President should have directed that hearings of the ombudsman and DOJ be made public, broadcast live and completed within a fixed timeframe.

Fifth, Congress should have been pressed to expedite the enactment of structural reforms (which I outlined last week) to ensure that institutional plunder never happens again.

This is not what we got. From the outset, President Marcos’ response to the scandal has been marked more by emotion than action. Shedding tears on camera may have struck a chord with some, but it revealed a deeper problem – a leader who confuses symbolic grief with decisive governance. Crying over corruption does not dismantle the machinery that enables it nor does it hold the perpetrators to account.

Rather than immediately suspending implicated officials, freezing assets, imposing hold-departure orders and empowering state prosecutors to pursue cases swiftly, the President chose a timid middle ground – the creation of the ICI.

Granted, the ICI can play a role in investigation, but the snail’s pace of its investigations will allow plunderers to cover their tracks and conceal their ill-gotten wealth. It allows the guilty to build their defenses around legalese. It grants corrupt officials the time to intimidate whistleblowers and manipulate documentation. Worse, by relying on hearings and endless ‘fact-finding’ meetings, the ICI’s final report could arrive in months – if not years – way after public anger has waned. This is the classic formula of inaction disguised as accountability.

A toothless ICI, lacking credibility

The ICI may issue subpoenas and recommend suspensions, but beyond that, it has no bite. It has no power to prosecute, arrest or hold anyone in contempt. It can request bank records and testimonies – but cannot compel compliance when the powerful refuse. Instead, it must rely on the cooperation of the very officials it is supposed to investigate. This is not a commission of accountability, it is theater. The ICI projects the illusion of action while giving plunderers a window to escape culpability. In effect, it is an advisory body masquerading as an accountability mechanism.

Barely four weeks since its creation and the ICI has already lost credibility. The resignation of Mayor Benjie Magalong as special adviser and investigator was a serious blow. Magalong gave the ICI a semblance of independence and credibility. His decision to step down, citing doubts over the body’s mandate and independence, signals that the ICI is compromised.

Unfortunately, the personalities left at the helm do not inspire confidence. Chairman Andy Reyes, a retired Supreme Court justice, is viewed by critics as overly cautious and steeped in proceduralism – the kind that allows cases to languish for years. His deferential stance towards the accused makes us uncomfortable, as if he owes them a debt of gratitude.

Rodolfo Azurin Jr., the former PNP chief tapped as Magalong’s replacement, left the police service under a cloud of criticism over the 2022 shabu heist and alleged cover-up. His appointment raises questions about whether the ICI is meant to investigate wrongdoing or to protect political allies.

More disturbing is that the ICI has nothing to show even after four weeks in operation. No high level suspensions, no frozen contracts, no new whistleblower testimonies. In other words, no urgency. Meanwhile, those implicated were given precious weeks to conceal evidence, launder money and tighten political defenses.

The very design of the ICI reveals weakness on the President’s part. Instead of actually being in control, he has effectively outsourced the fight against corruption to a commission ill-equipped to handle entrenched interests.

And by allowing the ICI to take the lead, Marcos positions himself as someone ‘waiting for findings,’ thereby avoiding personal accountability. The ICI serves as a convenient shield. This is not the kind of leadership we need, nor deserve, at this time.

Government is failing us again. Now the burden now falls on the public. Civil society, investigative journalists and watchdog groups must demand transparency at every stage of the investigation. Closed-door hearings, selective leaks or sanitized reports will only protect the guilty. We have seen this happen before.

The proceedings must be broadcasted live, documentary evidence must be made public and the timelines strictly adhered to. Only constant public pressure can prevent the ICI from becoming another shield for the powerful – a smokescreen that hides corruption instead of exposing it.

It’s not too late. Marcos can still course-correct. We hope he rises to the occasion – leading the investigation, restitution, prosecution and structural reforms with the iron hand this crisis demands.