EDITORIAL: Robredo’s Example

CAPAS, Tarlac Mayor Roseller “Boots” Rodriguez has made a quiet but resounding statement in local governance by relinquishing his office’s confidential fund, redirecting the budget instead to social services that more directly and transparently benefit his constituents.

His decision, inspired by former Vice President and now Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, is a rare demonstration of leadership grounded in introspection, humility, and responsiveness to real community needs.

Confidential funds, by their nature, escape public scrutiny. Intended to support law enforcement and surveillance activities, they are often left unchecked—making them vulnerable to misuse or inefficiency.

Rodriguez’s honest admission that he once thought such funds were “fixed” and immutable mirrors what many public officials may think but rarely say. His candid reflection underscores the need for more widespread awareness and scrutiny of how public funds are used, especially those shielded from public accountability.

The mayor’s move is more than symbolic. By choosing to eliminate the P8-million confidential fund from his 2026 budget, Rodriguez acknowledged that despite years of allocation, the fund has yielded limited results in curbing the illegal drug trade—a national scourge that can’t be solved piecemeal.

He recognized the redundancy between the confidential fund and existing programs like the Peace and Order and Public Safety (POPS) plan, and he did what most politicians avoid: he pivoted.

Redirecting funds to support senior citizens’ social pensions and school supplies for public students is a shift that reflects a growing sentiment among constituents—they want their taxes to be spent on tangible, visible outcomes.

While public safety remains critical, so too does ensuring that elderly citizens live with dignity and students are given the tools to succeed.

To be clear, Rodriguez did not frame his move as a political challenge to others. He was quick to say that each local government unit faces different realities. But in doing what he thought was best for Capas, he may have inadvertently set a powerful example.

His action echoes the values of servant leadership—one that listens, learns, and evolves.

That his decision was inspired by Mayor Leni Robredo—who herself made headlines by rejecting the use of confidential funds in her city—adds another layer of meaning. It shows that accountability is contagious.

When leaders at any level demonstrate courage and integrity, they embolden others to do the same. They plant the seeds for a culture where transparency is not feared but embraced.

Local officials across the country would do well to reflect on this development. Confidential funds are not sacred. They are not permanent fixtures. And they are not above reassessment.

Mayor Rodriguez has proven that with clear priorities, courageous governance, and genuine regard for one’s constituents, it is possible to turn opaque resources into visible results. That, in itself, is a refreshing standard worth replicating.