The siphoning of funds from SSS, GSIS, PhilHealth, and government-owned banks to bankroll the Maharlika Fund is a gross betrayal of public trust. These institutions hold the hard-earned money of workers, retirees, and contributors who rely on them for financial security during emergencies, retirement, or health crises. Redirecting these funds to a controversial program raises serious questions about priorities, transparency, and fairness.
The funds in question are not government assets; they belong to the people. These institutions exist precisely to provide a safety net for contributors, not to subsidize broad schemes that favor populist handouts over sound fiscal management. What’s more troubling is that the supposed payout of P5,000 per beneficiary is a pittance compared to the billions collected. If the government truly sought to help its people using this money, why not address systemic needs like employment, healthcare, or education rather than resort to tokenistic, unsustainable giveaways?
Adding insult to injury is the lingering campaign-era narrative that the Maharlika Fund would be financed by the recovered and allegedly ill-gotten wealth of the Marcos family. The disillusionment is palpable as citizens realize the funds still came from government-controlled savings, eroding trust in leadership. This bait-and-switch action undermines credibility and diminishes any semblance of accountability. The people were promised change, but they saw their future stability being gambled away.
Meanwhile, the misuse of these funds perpetuates a culture of dependency. Many recipients of the ayuda may have valid needs, but the blanket distribution fosters complacency instead of empowerment. Job creation and livelihood programs could have had a long-term impact, but such measures seem to have taken a backseat to fleeting political optics. The long-term implications of draining institutions meant to safeguard workers’ financial well-being cannot be overstated; this is not just about economics but about eroding the social contract.
What must be done is clear: restore the funds to their rightful institutions and establish stricter safeguards to prevent further misuse. Transparent audits, genuine efforts to recover misappropriated wealth, and targeted investment in sustainable programs will go a long way in rebuilding trust. The government owes its people more than handouts; it owes them integrity, foresight, and a commitment to securing their future.
