President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s recent openness to a reconciliation with the Duterte faction raises a critical point in the nation’s political discourse. While such a gesture may signal a desire to move forward and heal divisions, it must not, under any circumstance, come at the cost of justice and accountability. The President himself clarified this point. And he is right.

Unfortunately, this sentiment seems lost on incoming senator Rodante Marcoleta, who has implied that reconciliation could and should delay or even derail efforts to hold powerful officials to account. This is both politically dangerous and morally corrosive. It smacks of a cynical message: that as long as one is in good standing with the President, they can get away with anything—from negligence to corruption. If we accept this logic, we effectively condone the plunder of public funds and the abuse of power under the thin veil of political alliance.

Such a proposition should alarm every Filipino.

Accountability is not a partisan concern. It is a principle. It should not fluctuate based on political loyalty, but stand firm on the foundation of law and public trust. Any attempts to dismiss or delay proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte—including her possible impeachment—should be viewed with deep suspicion. The allegations against her and her close associates must be aired, examined, and adjudicated in the interest of transparency and justice.

If the Vice President is innocent, as she claims, then she should welcome the opportunity to clear her name in a public forum. The trial, far from being an attack on her person or office, is a test of our democratic institutions’ capacity to function impartially and with integrity. Shielding her from due process would send a chilling message: that some public officials are simply untouchable.

The midterm elections sent a clear signal: the Filipino people are no longer willing to turn a blind eye to corruption. Voters want leaders who are answerable to the law, regardless of their political lineage. In a country where most people struggle to make ends meet, every peso stolen from public funds is a meal lost, a medical bill unpaid, or a scholarship revoked. Corruption is not an abstract crime; it is a direct assault on the lives and dignity of ordinary citizens.

Now, more than ever, we must reaffirm our commitment to accountability. Political reconciliation can only be meaningful if it is built on a shared respect for the rule of law—not used as an excuse to whitewash wrongdoing. Let justice take its course. Anything less is betrayal.