The Filipino nation is still waiting on authorities--particularly the investigative bodies in the legislature--to get to the bottom of the flood control projects corruption scandal.

Thus, said Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) Spokesperson Bro. Edwil Zabala, who recently shared the influential religious sect's message--an apparent frustration--on the issue in an episode of "Sa Ganang Mamamayan" on Net 25.

"Hinihintay ng mga Pilipino ang sinasabi ng Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairman na, "We will go where the evidence leads us,'" Zabala said, reading from a piece of paper.

(Filipinos are waiting for the fulfillment of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairman’s words: 'We will go where the evidence leads us.')

Although Zabala didn't mention it, the particular line is attributed to Blue Ribbon panel chairman, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson.

"Ngayong may mga lumalabas na pahayag na mula sa mga sangkot kabilang ang umano’y nagpadala ng male-maletang pera, at kamakailan lang ay pinatunayan ng mga dating sundalo na umaming sila ang naghatid sa mga ito, bakit tila walang malinaw na hakbang upang palawakin pa at tapusin ang imbestigasyon?" Zabala asked.

(Now that statements have surfaced from those involved, including the alleged sender of bags of cash, and more recently, former soldiers who admitted they delivered the money, why is there still no clear move to broaden and conclude the investigation?)

Zabala was alluding to allegations made by Orly Guteza, who made headlines last year when he claimed in a Blue Ribbon panel hearing that "luggages filled with cash" reaching in the billions and allegedly sourced from anomalous flood control projects were delivered to politicians.

Then, last Feb. 24, lawyer Levi Baligod and 18 Marine-bagmen who claimed to be Guteza's work mates came out to corroborate the Blue Ribbon panel witness' claims.

"Anong ebidensya pa kaya ang hinihintay upang seryosohing tuntunin ang mga mastermind sa katiwaliang ito? (What further evidence is needed before the masterminds behind this corruption are seriously pursued?)" said Zabala.

"May mga pahayag din na ang paglitaw ng mga dating sundalo ay bahagi ng isang destablization plot. Kung ganun ang paratang, hindi ba lalo itong dapat imbestigahan sapagkat ang destabiisasyon laban sa gobyerno ay isang seryosong usapin ukol sa pambansang seguridad?" he further asked.

(There are even claims that the emergence of these former soldiers is part of a destabilization plot. If that is the allegation, should it not be investigated all the more, since destabilization against the government is a grave matter of national security?)

Zabala underscored that the vast majority of the 18 Marine-bagmen's joint affidavit delved into the siphoning of public funds through the flood control projects mess.

"Matamang naghihintay pa rin ang sambayanan kasama ng milyung milyon sa buong mundo at maging ng mga international media at iba pa na nagmamasid, at mga kaanib sa Iglesia Ni Cristo ay patuloy na nakabantay," he said.

(The people remain vigilant, together with millions around the world, international media, and members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo who continue to watch closely.)

Zabala said it was wrong to assume that Filipinos have forgotten about the issue "because the funds in question come from the taxes and hard work of the citizens".

"Ang aming panawagan ay nananatiling malinaw: Ilantad ang buong katotohanan, panagutin ang dapat managot, at pairalin ang katanungan upang maibalik ang tiwala ng bayan at maitaguyod ang tunay at pangmatagalang kapayapaan at pagsulong ng Pilipinas," the INC spokesperson added.

(Our call remains clear: Expose the whole truth, hold the guilty accountable, and uphold justice so that the trust of the people may be restored, and genuine, lasting peace and progress in the Philippines may be achieved.)