The political atmosphere in the Philippines has rarely felt so thick with cynicism and outrage. Amidst renewed efforts by the Senate to investigate a years-old corruption scandal, the public mood is overwhelmingly one of deep skepticism, fueled by what critics call a severe case of misplaced governmental priorities. A recent commentary has encapsulated this mounting anger, launching fiery critiques against key political figures and highlighting the perceived disconnect between the priorities of the administration and the urgent needs of the Filipino people.

The ‘Scripted’ Senate Probe and the Specter of Corruption
The central point of contention revolves around the impending reopening of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation into the alleged flood control scandal, scheduled for November 14, 2025. This probe aims to look into allegations surrounding controversial flood control projects, notably involving former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Representative Salceda (referred to as Saldiko).

However, the public’s response, channeled through the viral commentary, is immediate and vitriolic. The fact that Senate President Tito Sotto has confirmed he is scheduled to meet with Romualdez to discuss the committee’s next steps before the actual hearing has triggered widespread allegations of a “scripted” proceeding intended only to clear the names of those involved.

The commentator translates the palpable public fury: “Why invite, they’re already talking. What will they answer? For scripted, I suppose.” This prevailing sentiment suggests that the entire process is a calculated maneuver, a “parliamentary first aid for the people’s pain” meant to placate the populace rather than genuinely seek justice. The commentator does not mince words, directly attacking the integrity of the process and the leaders involved: “Nonsense. You even met with the leader of the thieving crocodiles.” Adding to the public’s suspicion is the perceived partisan move to replace previous committee chairs: “That’s why Chis Codero and Marcoleta were replaced because the two replacements are Romualdez’s stooges.” The public is being urged to assume guilt before the trial: “Whatever you do, no one believes anymore. It’s better to advise them to admit they are thieves.” The current feeling is one of profound distrust, where high-level discussions are interpreted not as due process, but as strategic planning for acquittal.

Misplaced Priorities: Chasing Dolomite vs. Trillion-Peso Scandals
The commentary then shifts to sharply criticize current political figures for focusing investigative efforts on what many consider non-issues, while ignoring controversies of massive financial implications. Representative Ridon, a key figure in the House, along with House Speaker Dayo (Horden Hesus D), has initiated a probe into the previous administration’s Dolomite Beach project.

For the commentator, this investigation is a waste of public funds and a blatant example of misplaced priorities. The fury is clear: “You know, Ridon and House Speaker Dayo, you don’t care. That’s the people’s fund again. That’s what you will spend. Just build something instead. I assure you, you won’t imprison anyone there. You won’t implicate anyone.” The crux of the argument is that Ridon and his allies are spending valuable taxpayer money and time on a project that has already been executed and completed under a previous regime, simply because they disapprove of the aesthetic choice.

The commentator, in a fiery exchange, argues for the aesthetic and mental health benefits of the Dolomite Beach and other public parks: “Is there any advantage to Luneta, to the National Museum? There is, Congressman Ridon, it’s called aesthetics… It relieves stress. You won’t beat your wife when you get home. You got that? That’s what aesthetics brings.” This line of reasoning contends that such projects, even if controversial, serve a public need for recreation and relaxation, something that many Filipinos value highly. The investigation is thus dismissed as nothing more than political grandstanding: “You can’t investigate it just because you think that’s not what should have been done.” The commentator even resorts to a crude, personal insult to express disdain for Ridon’s alleged personal stake in the area’s former unsanitary state: “Were you taking a dump there, Ridon? I’m just asking. Were you one of those taking a dump there? That’s why you really miss it.”

The fury over the Dolomite probe is amplified by the contrast with a far more serious allegation: the supposed P1.45 trillion “budget insertion” in the national budget. The commentator highlights the irony that Ridon himself previously acknowledged that claims of a massive conspiracy require evidence, yet he is choosing to ignore a current, massive financial controversy to pursue a previous administration’s aesthetic project. “The budget we just finished, the insertion reached 1.45 trillion. That’s your job as chairman of public accountability.” This perceived negligence, focusing on minor political battles while neglecting enormous financial oversight, is seen as the ultimate betrayal of public trust.

Arrogance of Power and Global Humiliation
The criticism is not limited to fiscal and legislative matters; it also targets the perceived arrogance of public officials and the country’s diminished status on the world stage.

The matter of President Marcos’s integrity is brought up, with the commentator paraphrasing a public call for the President to submit to a hair follicle drug test. This politically charged public demand was allegedly met with a shocking, dismissive response from a public official referred to as “Anti Claire”: “Who are you? Who are you to demand for that? The President won’t notice you because who are you?”

This response, repeated multiple times in the commentary, is perceived as the height of official arrogance and has deeply offended the public. The commentator’s outrage is raw, directly comparing the official to filth: “You’re like stepping on feces, and you smell worse than feces.” This segment expresses a deep-seated grievance among citizens who feel that public servants, particularly those close to the President, have become untouchable and view the public with contempt.

Simultaneously, the country’s defense and foreign policy priorities come under fire. Defense General Broner’s public emphasis on military preparedness, quoting a line that the “AF should hold out to 30 days before US aid in war scenario,” is severely mocked. The commentator contrasts this with the historical, immediate, and visible role of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in disaster relief during the previous administration: “General Broner, with all due respect, during Tatay Digong’s time, when there were calamities, the AFP was busy. They were there. People saw them helping, giving relief goods, rescuing typhoon and flood victims.”

The timing of General Broner’s statement is ridiculed, especially given the current global dynamics where major world leaders, such as the US and China, are engaging in trade deals and diplomacy. “The war scenario you’re pushing is still World War I era… Why are you inserting the war scenario?” The commentator suggests this military posturing is not for national defense, but a distraction from other political failures.

The ultimate blow in the commentary comes from citing a moment of perceived global humiliation. The commentator recalls a time when President Donald Trump, in a public statement, failed to specifically name the Philippines, relegating the nation to the category of “and other countries.” This incident is used as proof of the Philippines’ “isolated” and diminished standing globally. The commentator quotes: “General Bronner, the US President sees us only as ‘others.’ We are ‘others.’” This sense of being marginalized and unacknowledged internationally, combined with the domestic political infighting and misplaced priorities, paints a grim picture of the current state of governance and the national psyche. The Filipino public, it is argued, deserves leaders who prioritize their immediate needs and secure the country’s dignity on the world stage, rather than engaging in what appears to be “scripted” political theater.