In the wake of the much-awaited release of the so-called “Napoles' List,” one may wonder how far can we still stretch our patience in the face of this seemingly unbearable culture of corruption that steals the light of hope for the suffering Filipinos. In the list we find the names of at least 13 senators who had transacted with Janeth Lim-Napoles, or through her agents, and had benefited from a hideous deal that is equivalent to an open rape of public funds. We also find names of legislators in the lower House of Congress who are believed to have struck a deal with the pork barrel scam mastermind. Incensed, we feel at lost somehow.

Long before this list came out and long before the Napoles-orchestrated pork scam came into the open view, corruption has been pervasive in our government bureaucracy. And the Napoles' List offers no fresh information how corrupt some elected officials have become starting from the national level down to the local ranks. More than a list, we want jail terms for all who are guilty of destroying this nation's future. Billions of pesos of public funds have been wasted for decades. Billions of pesos of public funds have been stolen by unconscionable government leaders. The labyrinth of government corruption is difficult to navigate, but the Napoles' List has hinted us that most national lawmakers are as guilty as the worst of criminals in our midst.

Reading the Napoles' List, one cannot help but feel disgusted at the fate of our country. What awaits the more than 100 million Filipinos who have to endure the consequences of our wrong electoral decisions. A righteous anger continues to consume our peace as we brace for more list of names in Napoles' vault of secrets. It is sickening to realize that almost all the top leaders of the country have betrayed public trust by dealing with Napoles. It is at the same time frightening that the country is embroiled with this kind of financial scandal, which mirrors our political coma, at a time when China is bullying us around and threatening the sovereignty of our sovereignty.

And we feel that somehow, somewhere Napoles is not alone. There may be many other Napoles-like rackets sucking the blood of the nation while we are wide awake. There may be many other Filipino individuals who, before Napoles has learned to make billions of pesos without sweating it out, are operating a Napoles-like scam. What has become of a nation in which its freedom and democracy were secured by the ultimate deaths of our revolutionary heroes? Is democracy too much that we've allowed merciless leaders to doom the nation? Is freedom too much that we've allowed elected officials to freely roam around while they continue to squander people's taxes?

Where will this national abnormality end? When will this national callousness end? How far can we still stretch our patience? How long can we still joke and laugh at our own misfortunes? When will revolution start? The Napoles' List, while it validates people's deep-seated distrust on their leaders, should unleash a nationwide outrage. But where is the public outcry? Where is the fire of hate that will put out citizens' indifference?