Whenever we discuss the many political, economic, social, cultural and moral issues of the here and now, there are often two competing viewpoints that derail discussions.

On one hand, one camp says “wait for your turn in the next elections,” while the other preaches “vote wisely in the next elections.”

Both could claim to be right yet could only be convincing if we fall for their flawed logic about elections as “winner take all” contests, or that voting is either the supreme or only acceptable democratic act worth performing.

The thing is, elections are only one-day affairs every three or six years. It turns out that democratic action is more important in improving our country, and holding election winners accountable.

There are simply many issues that are not decided in elections: Elections that are solely focused on choosing who would be leaders at various levels of government. In between elections, it is when policies are adopted and programs implemented that greater and fiercer democratic participation is needed.

For instance, the flood control controversy cannot wait for the election of a new president or of a new Congress. The mess should be investigated now, and the money trail should be found and followed now. Investigations should be exhaustive, swift and offer no safe refuge or special treatment to the scoundrels and thieves. The current president and wannabe presidents must make the right moves not just to maintain hold on power, or to position better for the next elections. There are more important things than both, like actually jailing and punishing the corrupt, completely destroying the pork barrel system, abolishing the dynasties, etc.

Our people’s direct actions have been more potent in fighting corruption. Two presidents ousted: one found guilty and liable in a US court in a landmark human rights class action suit, and another convicted for plunder by our own court. Just over a decade ago, Filipinos rallied successfully against pork barrel and acts of corruption in the budget, with the Supreme Court striking down the congressional Priority Development Assistance Fund, and the presidential Disbursement Acceleration Program, as unconstitutional.

Tragically though, the government took decades before indemnifying victims. A president pardoned the convicted plunderer. The justice system meanwhile has a mixed record of holding lawmakers and their partners accountable. Many have been able to evade prosecution. Pork barrel has obviously come back, bigger and bolder. These are a discredit not to people’s direct actions, but to the inability or refusal of government to undertake the needed political reforms and to punish the corrupt.

The specter of growing rallies and demonstrations has been effective in pushing the government to do what is right. The Sept. 21 rallies, and the subsequent demonstrations and expressions of outrage across the country have created so much pressure in most, if not all, agencies and branches of government.

The pressure has been so strong that the President has formed an independent commission. The same commission which has resisted calls for transparency gave in this week to public demands for livestreaming of its proceedings. We hope to see records of its past proceedings to be made available to the public.

Public clamor also continues for the release of public officials’ Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Networth. A few congressmen and lawmakers have so far released their SALNs. The president and vice president should lead by example. They should release their SALNs.

The Philippines obviously needs more such rallies and demonstrations, big and small, in Metro Manila and across the country, especially since no one has been arrested, detained or charged in court regarding the flood control and related controversies. No lawmaker has offered to resign.

We cannot grow tired of the issues, or reduce everything to re-fighting the battle of 2022 or prepping for the battle of 2028. That’s what the corrupt politicians and contractors wish to happen because if we fall for either apathy or partisan division, they win. They also have the resources to cause long and frequent delays in investigations, and can pull strings to get special treatment or even undeserved immunity. We have seen them do it in the past. Painful lessons from history should teach us that we should do more, take bolder actions, and be critical and vigilant on what the government does or does not do in order to prevent such travesties from happening again.

Let us keep on discussing the issues with our families and friends. Study the history of pork barrel and corruption in the budget. Explore the links between traditional politics, dynasties, oligarchs and corruption. Demand transparency and accountability here and now.