The political and social landscape of the Philippines is currently gripped by a crisis of integrity, pitting the public’s desperate demand for accountability against the shadowy workings of alleged systemic corruption. At the heart of this turmoil is the multi-billion-peso flood control scandal that has cast a long shadow over the current Marcos administration, a controversy so vast it has prompted the nation’s largest religious organization to break its customary silence.

In a rare and powerful public statement, the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), through its spokesperson, Bro. Edwell D. Zabala, conveyed the official position of General Overseer Eduardo V. Manalo. The message was not merely a passive observation but a sharp, urgent call for transparent and decisive action, effectively putting the government on notice.

INC’s Unwavering Demand: Accountability Must Be Open to the Nation
The INC stated unequivocally that it is “peacefully observing” the ongoing events, coupled with fervent prayer for peace and justice to prevail in the country. However, this spiritual vigilance came with a concrete and demanding mandate for the state. They acknowledged the government’s initial steps, including the congressional hearings and the formation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), but made it clear that passive measures are no longer enough.

The core of the INC’s concern is simple yet profound: transparency.

The statement stressed that the massive scandal, which has fueled political infighting and national uncertainty, centers on the theft of “hundreds of billions of pesos from the public treasury” at a time when ordinary citizens are suffering economic hardship. For the INC, the imperative is to not only await the results of the investigations but to ensure they are “truthful and trustworthy.”

Their most crucial demands were direct and challenging to the current power structure:

Stop the Cover-Up: The INC voiced deep concern over the rumored halting of the Senate investigation for “unclear reasons,” arguing that such a move would be detrimental to the quest for truth.

No Secret Deals: They dismissed the ICI’s “secretive” investigative approach, warning that any result obtained in secrecy would likely be unacceptable to the populace, only adding to the nation’s chaos and mistrust.

Open the Hearings: The final, powerful call was for the investigative proceedings to be “open and witnessed by the people” with full transparency, “without bias or cover-ups,” as the ultimate demonstration of sincerity from those in authority. The message is a moral challenge: true justice requires the nation to see the process unfold, ensuring that those who stole from the public purse are held accountable, regardless of their political stature.

This intervention by a highly influential religious bloc escalates the issue from a purely political skirmish into a moral and societal demand, increasing the pressure on the administration to deliver genuine and visible accountability.

The Ombudsman’s Impossible Burden: Remulla’s Integrity Test
Adding fuel to the fiery public debate is the sudden and controversial appointment of former Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla as the new Ombudsman, replacing the retired Samuel Martires.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. endorsed Remulla, citing his long political service—as a legislator, Governor of Cavite, and Secretary of Justice—as evidence of his integrity and dedication. The official narrative highlights Remulla’s track record at the DOJ, where he supposedly spearheaded reforms to modernize the justice system, ease prison congestion, and speed up case resolution. The President’s trust is hinged on the promise that Remulla will maintain transparency, strengthen anti-corruption efforts, and ensure that justice is “fairly and swiftly” implemented, famously proclaiming that the new Ombudsman will “spare no one.”

Yet, this appointment has immediately sparked intense public and media skepticism. Remulla, a long-time, high-profile politician, carries significant historical baggage. Critics are quick to recall controversial moments from his past tenure, including his “yes sir” affirmation to a Senator’s suggestion of “bending the law to please the people” during a Senate hearing, and his involvement in the sensitive issue of the Philippines’ withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC). These historical flashes of what some perceive as political expediency now define the central challenge to his new, powerful office.

The office of the Ombudsman is the nation’s ultimate anti-graft watchdog, wielding immense “moto proprio” power to investigate any public official without needing a complainant. This power, coupled with a non-replaceable seven-year term, makes the office a sacred trust. The overwhelming fear now is that Remulla’s extensive political network—the political friends and allies to whom he may feel a “debt of gratitude” (utang na loob)—could compromise his impartiality.

The massive flood control scandal is not just his first case; it is his ultimate integrity test. If he is perceived to selectively prosecute political rivals or, worse, to shield his allies and the appointing power from investigation, the public’s confidence in the justice system will collapse, forever branding his legacy as tainted and biased. For Remulla, this is the time to defy his political past and prove the sincerity of his commitment to transparency and non-partisanship.

The Systemic Breakdown and the Global Shame
The crisis of confidence is exacerbated by the visible stalling of the very mechanisms meant to deliver justice. The resignation of Senator Ping Lacson as the Chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and the subsequent, poorly timed one-month Senate recess have effectively choked the key investigation into the flood control anomaly. This hiatus is seen by many as a calculated maneuver to allow the heat to dissipate, giving those implicated valuable time to evade accountability.

Furthermore, the sluggish pace of law enforcement action continues to raise suspicion. Despite numerous, high-profile allegations—including reports of “maletas” full of cash and details on ghost projects—the application of legal countermeasures has been selective. Public commentators have pointed out the glaring omission of high-level politicians and alleged masterminds from the asset freeze orders issued by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), which have so far been limited primarily to low-level DPWH engineers and specific contractors. This selective justice fosters the deep-seated belief that powerful figures are being protected, and the “big fish” are escaping the net.

The most heartbreaking fallout of this systemic corruption is the damage to the Filipino identity on the global stage. An anecdote shared during the discussion detailed a Filipino tourist being unable to exchange a small amount of U.S. dollars in Norway because the foreign exchange counter explicitly cited the Philippines’ international reputation for “corruption and money laundering.” This incident is a harsh, tangible reminder that the greed of a few high-ranking officials has inflicted a collective, humiliating stain on the entire nation, costing every ordinary Filipino their dignity and global trust.

The road ahead is challenging. With the INC demanding open justice, a new Ombudsman needing to immediately prove his independence, and the Senate investigation on hold, the Filipino people are left watching, waiting, and demanding that the system stop protecting thieves and finally deliver the peace and justice that has been long overdue.