By Gregorio B. Austral, CPA
Musings on power and public accountability
Public office is not just a dream in the Philippines; it is a requirement. It says that people who are given the power of the State must be honest, trustworthy, and humble. This trust won’t last forever. It is tested every day, and when it fails, the people and the law must be strong and ready.
Recent events in Bohol show how important it is to make public leaders answer for what they do. A local official was fired once for giving out public benefits without getting the right permission from the Sanggunian. In another case, a business that was supposed to be regulated was allowed to run even though it didn’t have a legislative franchise. The Ombudsman’s Office said that these actions were “serious violations.” They show that making choices on your own can go against democratic protections and damage the integrity of institutions.
More and more public workers are being found not guilty of crimes that are just as helpful. People who worked for a local legislative body were charged with administrative offenses for signing service contracts without first getting permission from the executive branch. After a close look, it was clear that what they did was in line with an enabling ordinance. The Ombudsman threw out the complaint, making it clear that accountability should not only punish people who break the law, but also protect people who follow the law from false accusations.
These things show that being responsible can mean both taking care of things and keeping them safe. It makes sure that power isn’t misused or abused, and that the systems that are in place to keep an eye on the government are smart and fair. Oversight groups, such as the Ombudsman, are very important. They are not there to punish people; they are there to make sure the government is honest.
On July 25, 2025, the Supreme Court made a decision at the national level to try to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte. This supports this framework. The Court threw out the impeachment because it went against the rule that says you can’t file again within a year and because the defendant didn’t get a fair trial. The trial was put on hold, but the most important things are still not being talked about. People might not talk about them until after February 6, 2026. The decision shows that even the most powerful people must follow the rules of the Constitution.
Justice Marvic Leonen once said, “If you want to be a public servant, do it for the public trust that it is.” “Don’t put up with abuse; speak out against corruption.” Help people who don’t have as much as you do. His words show that being legally responsible isn’t just about following the law; it’s also about protecting the government’s reputation.
In the end, accountability is strong not just because of the law, but also because people care and public servants have a moral duty to do their jobs. These things show that everyone, from the Supreme Court to the city governments of Bohol, should keep their promise to help the public. We keep democracy alive by making sure that those in charge are honest.