Floods have long subsided in most areas, but a new tide is rising in the country—public resolve to cleanse the bureaucracy.

What began as a lone exposé by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has now ignited a powerful wave of support for truth, justice, and reform. His revelations about botched flood control projects—and the launch of the Sumbong sa Pangulo platform—have stirred the conscience of a nation that has long been battered by corruption, inefficiency, and indifference. The demand for accountability has moved from whispers in barangays to bold declarations in boardrooms and command centers.

Now, two major pillars of leadership are the latest to add their voice to the growing clamor: the Association of Generals and Flag Officers (AGFO) and the Mayors for Good Governance. Make no mistake, these groups represent discipline, experience, and the local pulse of the people. Their unified call for a thorough investigation of these failed projects is an endorsement of the President’s campaign for clean governance and a message to every government office and every crooked contractor that the era of impunity must end—not tomorrow, but now.

This groundswell of support marks a turning point. For decades, Filipinos have watched billions of pesos wash away in substandard infrastructure, ghost projects, and schemes that enrich the few while endangering the population. We have seen cities submerged, livelihoods lost, and lives destroyed—all because public funds meant to protect them were funneled into private pockets.

Enough is enough. This has to end.

The AGFO’s involvement signals that even our most disciplined institutions recognize the rot within the system. These are leaders forged in service, trained in accountability, and committed to nation-building. Their support sends a clear and strong message: clean governance is not a partisan issue but a patriotic duty.

Likewise, the Mayors for Good Governance represent communities that are the first to suffer from broken systems. Their demand for transparency and reform shows that the fight is not just in Manila—it is in every town, city, and province that has borne the brunt of failed leadership and hollow promises.

But for this momentum to result in real, lasting change, it must be met with action.

The national government must treat this clamor not as a political noise, but as a mandate. Investigations must be swift, thorough, and unrelenting. Those found guilty—whether in public office or private enterprise—must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Let this be the beginning of a deep and sustained cleansing of the bureaucracy, not another publicity stunt that fades as the noise simmers down.

The private sector, too, must be put on notice. Businesses that profit off corruption are not builders of the nation—they are saboteurs that should also be dealt with to the full extent of the law. Let the call for integrity ring in boardrooms as loudly as it does in the halls of government.

And we, the Filipino people, must not falter. Support must turn into vigilance. Outrage must become action. We must push for reforms, demand transparency, and refuse to tolerate mediocrity or misconduct at any level of governance.

What we are witnessing is the start of something rare: a united front for good governance. Let us not squander it. Let it grow. Let it sweep across agencies, LGUs, institutions, and even our own attitudes.

In future elections, let our voices and our desire for good governance be heard through the ballot. The cleansing of the bureaucracy must begin with a cleansing of our own tolerance for wrongdoing.

The clamor is growing. The time for cleansing is now.

Not for today’s leaders alone, but for the generations to come.