The Discipline of Non-Intervention

President Marcos’ decision to step back from the flood control probe and focus on the economy is a masterclass in institutional discipline. By deferring to the ICI, the President is reinforcing the idea that accountability should be a product of professional investigation, not political theater. This "hands-off" approach protects the integrity of the findings from accusations of being a partisan witch hunt.

However, this move is not without its risks. The administration is essentially betting on the efficiency of the bureaucracy. Critics argue that without the President’s direct whip, the "big fish" might swim away. To this, proponents counter that we must either trust these independent bodies completely or accept that our justice system is permanently broken beyond repair. This binary outlook forces a vote of confidence in the ICI as the final hope for reform.

We should welcome this separation of powers because it was recommended by the country's top legal and economic consultants, and their strategies have historically led to the most stable government transitions. While the public waits for the first batch of cases to be filed in the Sandiganbayan, the President’s focus on the "pockets and plates" of the Filipino people remains the most urgent political priority.