We were elated by the recent news that President Bongbong Marcos, Jr. had opted to form an independent body to conduct a thorough probe of allegations surrounding flood-control projects in the country. He recently named the three members of the panel and designated a local government head to be the adviser of the body officially named Independent Commission for Infrastructure.

We join the many who hailed the President’s move. The creation of the independent probe body proves that the President is determined to get to the bottom of the controversy. It is clear he wants the truth to come out and will ensure that the public will have access to it.

The President’s move also proved that the country’s Chief Executive listens closely to the aspirations of those he governs.  It will be recalled that a few weeks ago, we joined the snowballing clamor for an impartial body to do the investigation. We shared the concern of many that investigations done by the very bodies that are suspected of being part of the controversy may not be believed by the public. We said the creation of an impartial body is crucial if the President is to ensure that the results of the probe would prove to be credible.

We also laud the President’s choice of the individuals who will compose the Commission.

With the exception of the Commission adviser, none of the panel members are politicians – true to the President’s commitment.

The background and experience of the three Commission members assure us of the following.

First, they possess the needed familiarity with the inner workings of the government agencies that will be covered by the probe.

Second, they have a proven expertise in tracking down the flow of funds.

Third, they have a mastery of the processes of investigation and adjudication.

We wish the Commission unqualified success in the pursuit of the difficult mission that has been placed on their shoulders.

We also wish that the work of the Commission will be undertaken without drama and theatrics. The three Commission members appear to be respected personalities who adhere to processes. It has to be a process over personalities. We feel that the current issues triggered by controversial flood control projects have already been muddled and muddied by heightened emotions. We can all benefit from the steadiness, conscientiousness, and sobriety of individuals of probity who will undertake the probe.

True, the public expects the Commission to provide them with the answer to the “who” questions. Who are involved? Who benefited? Who profited? Who conspired? Who covered up? Who are guilty and who should be made accountable?

We are also interested in getting the answers to the “how” questions. How did this happen? How did the system of allocating, disbursing, and utilizing public funds fail? How did this system become vulnerable?

More important, we would like to know how the system can be repaired or replaced, and how the system can be made to work better so that public funds are better protected in the future.

For sure, there will be a public outcry for heads to roll. There should also be an outcry for reforms, for improvements in the system, and for the exercise of greater transparency and accountability on the part of those who govern and are empowered to disburse hard-earned taxpayer money.

Like many of our countrymen, we would like to get the answers to the “who” questions. Such answers would help shed light on who should be held accountable for the destruction of many local communities due to floods – yes, the floods that were supposed to have been prevented by the infrastructure supposed to have been built by national government agencies.

We also want some answers to our “why” questions. For example, why were local governments often left out in the planning of such projects, which are implemented in their jurisdiction anyway? Why was there an apparent reluctance on the part of certain national implementing agencies to strengthen the coordination process? Why did they miss out on the value and power of multisector collaboration?

Meanwhile, we reiterate our view that the President has wisely created the opportunity for the public to get the answers to these questions. In so doing, the Present has set the stage for the return of calm and sobriety in the socio-political arena.

Our collective calm and sobriety, in turn, will ensure stability in our society and the protection of our regional and international reputation. The move by the President should stem the tide of rising public anger fueled by the chaotic and confusing drama unfolding before our eyes. This is important. If the drama is not halted soon, the level of chaos and confusion will be so high that it will be difficult to restore the credibility of the people and institutions whose reputations are being damaged by this conflict.

Enough damage has been done. We cannot afford more.

(The author is a Doctor of Medicine, an entrepreneur and the mayor of Antipolo City, former Rizal governor, and DENR assistant secretary, LLDA general manager. Email: [email protected])