Another big fish

It seems that only the government is celebrating the Philippines’ improved showing in the latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). Four years after the advocacy group Philippine Business for Education ranked the country near the bottom of the list, hardly anyone appears convinced that the dramatic improvement in students’ science, mathematics and reading skills reflects reality. The numbers may have improved, but public confidence in the education system remains badly shaken.

More disturbing, however, is the widening controversy surrounding allegations of irregularities in flood-control projects. Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez faces allegations that he received at least P7 billion in kickbacks from supposedly anomalous projects, based on accounts of individuals who claim to have delivered cash contained in numerous pieces of luggage. These are serious allegations.

Romualdez, apparently anticipating the issuance of an arrest warrant, admitted himself to a private hospital and later sought hospital arrest. Social media quickly supplied its own cynical diagnosis: for some high-ranking politicians, one of the leading cause of hospitalization appears to be a warrant of arrest.

Romualdez, like the Vice President during her impeachment proceedings, says he is prepared to face the allegations in court, supported by a corps of highly-paid defense lawyers. The Interior secretary has described him as a possible flight risk, citing his access to a private jet, helicopters and a luxury yacht.

Two senators and two congressmen reportedly left the country before warrants could be served. Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has also become noticeably quieter on social media amid reports that the Ombudsman may complete investigations into anomalous flood control projects in Taguig as well as the Philippines’ hosting of the Southeast Asian Games which was investigated by fellow Senator Panfilo Lacson.

The pattern is becoming difficult to ignore. One by one, key political pieces appear to be falling.

But the Queen remains standing.

The Vice President could still be acquitted by the impeachment tribunal under current rules. With at least four senators already absent, for different reasons, the impeachment court wants to alter those rules.

That raises an equally serious constitutional question. If the rules governing an impeachment proceeding are constitutionally entrenched, changing them because circumstances have become politically inconvenient could create a crisis of its own.

Referring the issue to the Supreme Court could be contentious as it earlier ruled that the impeachment court should resolve internally their issues.

The country needs accountability—but accountability must rest on evidence, due process and the rule of law. Allegations must be investigated; guilt must be proven in court.