I was young idealist when the soaring harmonies of The 5th Dimension’s medley “Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In” first filled the airwaves—and my imagination.
It was more than just a song, it was an anthem for a generation yearning for clarity, compassion, and cosmic alignment. The Age of Aquarius, they called it—a time of harmony and understanding. And for many of us coming of age in the late 1960s, its lyrics felt like prophecy wrapped in melody.
“Let the sunshine in” wasn’t just a refrain—it became a quiet mantra, echoing in my mind whenever I wandered back through the corridors of memory.
Fast forward to today, I find myself humming that same line again. But this time, it’s not nostalgia that stirs it—it’s necessity. That same line— “Let the sunshine in”—now carries a different weight. It’s no longer just a memory from my youth, it’s a rallying cry for the present.
In our country now, we’re drowning, not just in floodwaters, but in the murky depths of public works gone wrong. And while the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) was created to clean house, it’s doing so behind closed doors.
ICI was born out of public frustration—12,000 complaints in less than a month—all pointing to ghost projects, padded contracts, and flood control systems. That’s not a whisper. That’s a roar. It was the people who demanded answers. So why, now that the hearings have begun, are we being shut out?
ICI officials say they won’t livestream hearings to avoid “trial by publicity.” But let’s be honest: that’s not just tone-deaf—it’s a betrayal of the very public that gave the ICI its mandate.
Radical Transparency
Transparency isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. And history agrees.
Kofi Annan once said: “If corruption is a disease, transparency is a central part of its treatment.”
The Dalai Lama nailed it: “A lack of transparency results in distrust and a deep sense of insecurity.”
Jim Yong Kim, former World Bank president, called for “Radical Transparency,” insisting there’s no going back.
And Justice Louis Brandeis? He gave us the line that should be etched into every government building.
So let the sunshine in. Not just metaphorically. Literally. Open the doors. Turn on the cameras. Let the people see what’s being done in their name, with their taxes, for their future.
This isn’t just about infrastructure. It’s about trust. And trust, like truth, thrives in the light.
"Perception Is Real"
That need for transparency becomes even more pressing now that Andres Reyes Jr., former Supreme Court Associate Justice, has been appointed to lead the ICI. His name carries a weight of perception—one shaped by a history seen by many as favoring the powerful over the public. As Imelda Marcos once said, “Perception is real.” And in matters of public accountability, perception can be as potent as fact.
Which brings me back to that familiar refrain— “Let the sunshine in." It still echoes in my mind. But today, it’s no longer a nostalgic melody from a bygone era. It’s a demand. A call to action in a time when light must pierce through the shadows of secrecy.
Yet here we are, the ICI stands at a crossroads with hearings held behind closed doors, livestream denied, and the public left peering through frosted glasses. The irony is hard to miss: a commission born from public outrage now shield its proceedings from public view.
This is where the conversation must shift—to practical reform. If we truly want the ICI to succeed, we must ensure it doesn’t just investigate in the dark. It must operate in the light.
Let’s begin with the urgent: opening its hearings to the public. And then, let’s look ahead—to the long-term strategies that can transform the ICI from a reactive body into a resilient institution. For that, we turn to a proven model: India’s Central Vigilance Commission.
Building A Stronger ICI For The Long Haul
Now that we’ve tackled the urgent need for transparency, let’s talk about the long game. More than just a one-time cleanup crew—the ICI must be a lasting institution that truly reforms how we build and spend—it needs structural muscle.
And for that, we can take a page from India’s playbook. Their Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has been around for decades, and while it’s not perfect, it’s a solid benchmark for what a mature, independent anti-corruption body can look like.
Here’s what we can learn—and what we should push for:
1. Make It Law, Not Just A Memo
Right now, the ICI exists because of an executive order. That’s like building a house on sand. We need Congress to pass legislation that gives the ICI statutory status—so it can’t be dissolved or defanged with a stroke of a pen.
Why it matters: Legal permanence means institutional independence. It protects the ICI from political winds and ensures it can do its job without fear or favor.
2. Protect The Whistleblowers
“Sumbong sa Pangulo” is a powerful tool—but it needs legal safeguards. We should push for a Whistleblower Protection Act that shields informants from retaliation, harassment, or career sabotage.
Why it matters. People won’t speak up if they feel exposed. Protection encourages truth-telling and builds a culture of accountability.
3. Shift From Reactive To Preventive
Right now, the ICI is focused on investigating past anomalies. That’s important—but we also need to prevent future ones. Let’s equip the ICI with a Preventive Vigilance Division that trains engineers, audits procurement systems, and flags red flags before they become scandals.
Why it matters. Prevention saves money, time, and public trust. It’s smarter to stop the leak than mop up the flood.
4. Give It Oversight Powers
The ICI should have the authority to supervise agencies like DPWH and COA when it comes to infrastructure spending. Think of it as a watchdog with a magnifying glass—not just barking, but inspecting.
Why it matters. Oversight ensures that the agencies implementing projects are held to the highest standards, not just audited after the fact.
5. Institutionalize Transparency
Transparency shouldn’t be optional—it should be baked into the system. Let’s push for a Public Infrastructure Dashboard where citizens can track projects, budgets, complaints, and resolutions in real time.
Why it matters. When people can see where their taxes go, they’re more likely to trust—and more empowered to speak up when things go wrong.
LET THE SUNSHINE Lead The Way
We’ve come too far—and sunk too deep—to settle for half-measures and closed doors. The ICI was born from the people’s cry for truth. It must now answer that cry not with silence, but with sunlight. Let the hearings be public. Let the reforms be bold. Let the institution be built to last.
This isn’t just about fixing roads or draining floods. It’s about restoring faith. It’s about proving that government can listen, act, and evolve. And it starts with one simple act: opening the curtains.
So, to our fellow taxpayers—let’s demand it. Let’s build it.
Let’s let the sunshine in.
Content and editing put together in collaboration with Bing Microsoft AI-powered Co-pilot
Head photo courtesy of Bing image creator; design by Canva
Still photos courtesy of Dreamstime.com, Pexels, Facebook, www.whistleblowers.org. & Transparency International
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