EDITORIAL: Beyond Resignation
- Bicolmail Web Admin
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read

IN recent weeks, the Philippines has witnessed a flurry of high-profile resignations amid allegations of corruption in flood control and infrastructure projects. From former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan to Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co, stepping down has become the visible response to growing public outrage.
But as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. rightly pointed out, resignation alone is far from enough. Accountability must go beyond resignation.
Resignation can be a gesture of responsibility, an acknowledgment of public pressure, or simply a way to avoid further scrutiny. But it is not a cure-all. It does not undo the damage caused, nor does it guarantee that justice will be served.
As President Marcos emphasized in his BBM Podcast, real accountability requires more than just vacating a post—it requires concrete action backed by solid evidence, and ultimately, legal consequences for those proven guilty.
The flood control projects in question are not just about budgets and contracts. They impact the lives and safety of countless Filipinos. Corruption in such vital public works does economic harm and puts communities at risk during disasters. This damage cannot be erased simply by an official’s resignation.
Indeed, going beyond resignation means confronting uncomfortable truths and ensuring that the investigation process is independent, thorough, and impartial. The establishment of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is a step forward, but its work must translate into accountability, not just reports and rhetoric.
The public deserves transparency about what went wrong, who was responsible, and how such failures will be prevented in the future. Resignation is merely the opening chapter of this process, not the conclusion. Those implicated must face the full weight of the law where evidence exists, and reforms must follow to close loopholes that allow corruption to thrive.
Furthermore, beyond resignation lies the responsibility to rebuild trust in government institutions. The cycle of allegations, resignations, and forgetfulness must end. For too long, resignation has served as a convenient escape hatch for officials implicated in wrongdoing, allowing them to evade full accountability and sometimes even return to public office.
President Marcos’s message is clear: stepping down is not a shield from prosecution. The government must ensure that those who broke the law are held accountable with airtight cases, regardless of their political connections or status.
The path forward is challenging but necessary. The Philippines deserves a justice system that works, institutions that are resilient, and leaders who do not simply resign when caught but face the consequences head-on.
In the end, true accountability—and genuine reform—start beyond resignation. Only then can the government restore faith and protect the public interest with integrity.
If Congress is serious about fighting corruption, they should start in repealing the bank secrecy law and passing a law unmasking the corporate veil of corporate entities.
Dismantling the Fortresses of Corruption: A Two-Pronged Attack for the Philippines
Corruption in the Philippines is not merely a crime of opportunity; it is a general ailment sustained by legal frameworks that actively protect the corrupt. For decades, ill-gotten wealth has been shielded behind two formidable fortresses: the impenetrable privacy of bank accounts and the anonymous mask of corporate entities. To win the fight against corruption, the Philippines must launch a decisive assault on both fronts simultaneously. Repealing the outdated Bank Secrecy Law and mandating beneficial ownership disclosure for government contractors are not…