No shortcuts to inclusive governance
The Nov. 30 rallies served as Part 2 of the Sept. 21 mass action where Filipinos came out to show their outrage against corruption.
Many things happened between the two dates. In September, the exposés were fairly new, and each revelation during the congressional hearings drew shock and disbelief from the public. The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) was just newly created—10 days old, to be exact.
By November, the ICI had held numerous hearings and recommended the filing of charges against certain individuals involved in the mess. Boxes upon boxes of documentary evidence had been examined. Warrants of arrest had been issued and a handful—employees of the Department of Public Works and Highways—had been detained.
Still, while there have been early gains in the fight that began with President Marcos’ “Mahiya naman kayo!” speech during his State of the Nation Address in July, much more remains to be done.
On the streets, on social media, and even in surveys, Filipinos have made their sentiments known. It is through these sentiments that the administration should more carefully tailor its action in its fight against corruption. For example, an October 2025 Social Weather Stations survey across Mega Manila shows that 83 percent of Filipinos believe corruption is most rampant on the level of the national government, and 73 percent believe it is prevalent among high-ranking officials such as Cabinet members and senior management.
People are not satisfied with how the country is being governed. In Mega Manila, 77 percent of respondents—and 80 percent in the National Capital Region—feel corruption has become more widespread. Meanwhile, 60 percent believe that the government’s anticorruption efforts are not effective.
Public frustration is also driven by the misuse of public funds. Seventy-six percent of Filipinos believe that poorly built or unfinished government projects are a direct result of corruption. Following the exposure of substandard projects in Bulacan, 62 percent agree that corruption in Bulacan’s infrastructure sector reflects a broader, nationwide problem.
Moreover, people demand accountability and transparency, not just as buzz words but through action. Filipinos overwhelmingly support tougher action against corruption. Specifically, 74 percent favor stiffer penalties for corrupt officials, 71 percent support the filing of cases against those implicated, and 71 percent of respondents in Mega Manila believe that public movements such as the Trillion Peso March can push the government to act.
There is also substantial backing for transparency measures such as making the statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth accessible (63 percent) and passing the Freedom of Information Act (59 percent).
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Amid the growing clamor for results, and especially as the Christmas season draws near, Filipinos are hoping that bigger names involved in the scandal would be jailed. If big fish are allowed to escape prosecution, this sends a message that crime does pay, and that being in power indeed makes one immune from the consequences of crime.
Ultimately, this is not about the political affiliation of any single personality. Whatever color and persuasion, corruption is a reprehensible thing that should be punished, whoever is involved. This is what we have to impress upon the majority of our people, lest they believe this is a witch hunt for any political personality or group.
More importantly, investors, while acknowledging the potential of the Philippines in terms of human capital and other resources, are adopting a wait-and-see attitude. The push toward investment-led growth is a pressing concern for the administration, because attracting investments will have exponential effects on job creation and income generation. A corrupt environment will cause investors to lose interest in the Philippines altogether.
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The words of Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David during the Trillion Peso March are both sobering and enlightening. He pointed out that calls for resignation may be untenable because resignation is a voluntary act by someone who has good values and character.
But “Mahiya naman kayo” presupposes that everyone is capable of shame.
I agree with the Cardinal that we are not looking for fast and easy solutions. Instead, what we are aiming for are lasting reforms even as we try to hold accountable those who are proven to have committed corruption against our people. We will fight corruption through steady, consistent action and inclusive governance. Governance is not only the turf of the leaders, but a joint undertaking between multiple sectors: the government, the public sector, civil society, and all citizens.
Nov. 30, which coincided with the birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio whom we celebrate for his courage, was a day for a collective call for justice and governance. We hope this unites Filipinos of different political persuasions, sectors, geographic areas, and socioeconomic classes, to work toward a future of integrity, equity, and progress for the nation. We thus commit ourselves to a long and arduous battle, for the sake of our nation and our children.
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Dindo Manhit is the CEO and managing director of Stratbase Group.
