Probe Now, Forget Later

In Philippine politics, one pattern has sadly become predictable: a scandal breaks out, investigations are launched, hearings are televised, and fiery speeches are made. The public is momentarily engaged, expecting justice. But as time passes, the issue fades from memory, unresolved and unpunished. It is a cycle we know all too well—probe now, forget later.

We have seen this with the mysterious case of Alice Guo, whose background and legitimacy as a public official remain clouded in controversy. We saw it with Harry Roque Jr., who has been entangled in questions of ethics and influence yet seems to resurface unharmed. And we are seeing it with the issue of the intelligence fund of Vice President Sara Duterte, which raised eyebrows due to its magnitude and questionable allocation. Each of these cases had the potential to become a landmark of accountability. Yet, they now hover in limbo—unfinished chapters in the long book of scandals that Filipinos have learned to move on from, whether by force of distraction or exhaustion.

Now, the spotlight shifts to the failed flood control projects. President Bongbong Marcos Jr.’s decision to call out contractors, DPWH officials, and public servants responsible for these failures gave hope that something might finally change. Billions of pesos have been poured into these projects, yet Filipinos continue to suffer the same devastating floods year after year. The Senate hearing that followed should have been the beginning of accountability, transparency, and reform. But the haunting question remains: Will this probe lead to real results, or will it be another false hope?

The Risk of False Hopes

There is reason to be skeptical. For decades, investigations in this country have ended with no convictions, no real reforms, and no justice for taxpayers. Instead, they become platforms for political theater—senators and congressmen delivering grandstanding speeches, personalities hurling accusations, and the media feasting on the spectacle. What begins as a noble cause too often ends as another entry in the ledger of forgotten scandals.

Meanwhile, the people most affected by these failures—the ordinary Filipinos who wade through waist-deep floods, who lose their homes, their livelihoods, even their loved ones—remain voiceless in the halls of power. Their suffering is reduced to statistics, their stories buried under political drama.

The Role of Citizens

It is easy to lose hope and accept that this is the way things will always be. But resignation only strengthens corruption. We, the people, cannot afford to stay silent.

• We must remain vigilant, keeping our eyes on the proceedings long after the cameras turn away.

• We must use social media responsibly, amplifying credible information, supporting honest officials, and exposing shady dealings without succumbing to disinformation.

• We must support public servants with integrity, those brave enough to call out corruption even at personal cost.

• And yes, we must pray—not in passive surrender, but in active hope—for leaders with the credibility and courage to break the cycle of scandal and impunity.

Conclusion

The Senate probe on failed flood control projects can either be a turning point or just another chapter in the history of forgotten scandals. The choice lies not only with those in power but with us, the citizens, to demand accountability and resist the circus of distraction.

If we choose vigilance over apathy, action over silence, and integrity over cynicism, perhaps we can finally turn false hopes into genuine reforms. Otherwise, the flood—not just of water but of corruption—will continue to drown our nation.