By Louis ‘Barok’ C. Biraogo

In the shadowy corridors of power, where accountability often succumbs to the weight of avarice, the latest scandal involving the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) is a stark reminder of the rot that can fester within our institutions. The recent filing of a graft and corruption complaint against current MWSS Administrator Leonor Cleofas and her predecessor Reynaldo Velasco, over the egregious mishandling of the P12-billion Kaliwa Dam Project, marks a critical juncture. The bravery of the United Filipino Consumer and Commuters-Water for All Refund Movement (UFCC-WARM) in bringing this complaint to the Ombudsman cannot be overstated, as it shines a light on a scandal that demands our unwavering attention and calls for rigorous justice.

The allegations, underscored by the release of P1.828 billion in advance payments and P309.840 million in standby costs to the foreign contractor China Energy Engineering Corporation (CEEC), reek of impropriety and a blatant disregard for the public trust. These funds, intended to bolster the infrastructure that millions rely on, have instead been funneled into the coffers of an idle contractor, a travesty for which Cleofas and Velasco must be held accountable.

Rodolfo Javellana Jr., the national president of UFCC-WARM, has highlighted the stark consequences of these rushed and questionable transactions. The Filipino people, already burdened by the rising cost of living, are now saddled with paying for “unconscionable standby costs” under rate rebasing in 2023, despite the stark reality that not a single drop of water has been utilized from the Kaliwa Dam. This is not just a failure of governance; it is a profound betrayal of the public’s trust, one that demands immediate redress.

The findings from the Commission on Audit (CoA) lend credence to these accusations. The issuance of Audit Observation Memoranda and Notices of Disallowance relating to the advance payments and standby costs serves as damning evidence of the malfeasance that has taken root within the MWSS. When the CoA disapproves a transaction, it is because the expenditure is deemed irregular, unnecessary, excessive, extravagant, or illegal. In such cases, public funds must be returned to the government, yet Cleofas and Velasco seem to have operated under a different, self-serving set of rules.

It is here that we must extol the UFCC-WARM and their leader, Rodolfo Javellana Jr., for their relentless pursuit of justice. Their actions represent the vigilant spirit of a civil society that refuses to be silenced by corruption. They have waded into a morass of bureaucratic negligence and financial impropriety to expose the truth, a truth that demands the harshest scrutiny and sternest punishment for those responsible.

The gravity of this scandal cannot be overstated. The MWSS, tasked with ensuring a reliable water supply for Metro Manila and beyond, has instead plunged into a quagmire of corruption, jeopardizing the very lifeblood of its constituents. This is not merely a lapse in judgment; it is a systemic failure that necessitates thorough investigation and severe consequences for those found guilty.

In the pursuit of justice, we must not let this issue fade into the background. The Filipino people deserve transparency and accountability from those who wield power over their most vital resources. The Ombudsman must act decisively, rooting out the corruption that has tainted the MWSS and holding Cleofas, Velasco, and their cohorts to account. Only then can we begin to restore faith in our public institutions and ensure that such a betrayal never happens again.

As we await the Ombudsman’s findings, let us remain vigilant and unyielding in our demand for justice. The brave efforts of the UFCC-WARM have set the stage; it is now up to the legal system to deliver the justice that the Filipino people so desperately deserve. The time for accountability is now. The consequences must be severe, and the message clear: corruption will not be tolerated, and those who betray the public trust will be punished with the full force of the law.