By Farah G. Decano

 

PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has a historic opportunity to reshape public perception and restore trust in the government through the newly formed commission investigating fraudulent flood control projects. To make a lasting impact, his administration must pursue a strategy of swift and decisive action against high-ranking officials.

The path to success lies in a multi-pronged approach. First, the commission should be given the full support of key government agencies, including the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), and the Commission on Audit (COA). This collaboration will be crucial for building airtight cases that can withstand legal challenges.

To ensure convictions, the government must adopt a proactive legal strategy. The commission should be tasked with preparing a substantial number of cases—at least 50—against high-profile individuals with a salary grade of 25 and above. These cases should be filed with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Ombudsman, with a clear goal of securing a high conviction rate before the end of the President’s term.

Expeditious justice will also require a partnership with the judicial branch. The President should ask the Supreme Court to designate specialized courts to hear these cases and promulgate special rules to expedite the process. This will not only fast-track justice but also serve as a powerful deterrent. By holding high-ranking officials accountable, Marcos Jr. can send a powerful message and restore faith in government institutions.

Magsampol ka na kaagad, President BBM.

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In Dagupan City, a political drama is unfolding. Councilor Dada Reyna, who was once part of the dominant bloc, now finds herself as a lone voice in the minority. 

She was initially thought to join the supermajority because she had never been in the minority group before.  But Councilor Dada’s present fearless opposition by her lonesome has surprised many. 

This unexpected turn has transformed her into a champion for transparency, drawing comparisons to the late political powerhouse – Salud Sotto. 

Like Sotto, Reyna is proving to be a political warrior, not a doormat. Her solitary journey offers a unique platform to advocate for good governance. Yet, a shadow looms over her. Her past alliance with the “Magic 7” from 2022 to 2025 has cast doubt on her current crusade. This was painfully clear in a recent session when she was unable to effectively address a query from Councilor Mike Fernandez about that “dark period” in the city’s history. 

For any leader, credibility is the bedrock of public trust. While Reyna’s advocacy is noble, it is a difficult sell when her record is questionable. However, she has been gaining traction, skillfully portraying herself as a modern-day Disney Princess – a figure seemingly victimized for her pursuit of transparency. This narrative seems to work and is effectively stealing the spotlight from the supermajority. 

So, how can the supermajority reclaim the narrative? The answer is not through polarizing the populace into maka-Belen and maka-Lim. This is strategy is so passé. The people of Dagupan are tired of recurring floods and ineffective flood control projects. Now is the time for the supermajority to use their collective power for a transformative purpose. 

I challenge the supermajority to become the prime movers of a legacy flood ordinance which is not about generalities. This legislative measure must be about a specific, science-based plan that outlines concrete flood control projects for each barangay and the entire city, with a clear timeline for implementation. 

The supermajority must also put an end to the “pagpapakyut” and endless photo-ops with flood victims. Enough of token legislative inquiries that do not dig deep into the problem. The people of Dagupan need genuine solutions, not political theater. By using their power to tackle this perennial issue head-on, they can not only recover the public’s trust but also leave a lasting legacy for the city.

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