The Congress Must Represent the People, Not Themselves

In recent weeks the Senate and House of Representatives have once again come under scrutiny as budget deliberations have been delayed by political maneuvering while Senate hearings on confidential funds and infrastructure projects have raised doubts about whether the goal is accountability or political spectacle and these issues have fueled public frustration and weakened trust in our lawmakers who are expected to serve the people rather than themselves

The most pressing concern is the handling of infrastructure projects which consume billions of pesos in public funds yet often become breeding grounds for corruption inefficiency and patronage politics this is why I believe it is time to create an Independent Commission for Infrastructure a body separate from both the executive and legislative branches that will focus solely on planning monitoring and auditing national projects ensuring that they are based on need not on political favors

Such a commission must draw its leaders from a transparent multi sectoral selection process involving civil society academe and business groups it must be funded through automatic appropriations to protect it from congressional manipulation and its oversight must involve the Commission on Audit and independent observers including international experts to guarantee transparency efficiency and accountability by doing so the commission can provide the public with direct assurance that their taxes are being spent wisely and fairly

The Senate and House are meant to be institutions of stability and guardians of public trust yet they risk losing both if they continue to prioritize self interest over the nation they must set an example of integrity embrace reforms like the creation of an independent infrastructure commission and remember that they are elected to represent the people not themselves only then can they restore stability rebuild confidence and once again become the trusted houses of the Filipino people who deserve no less.

Philippine People's Press | In Truth We Prevail