By Wilnard Bacelonia | Philippine News Agency
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Tuesday opened its inquiry into alleged anomalies in multibillion-peso flood control projects, with senators citing reports of “ghost projects”, substandard works, and the concentration of contracts among a few favored contractors.
Committee chairperson Sen. Rodante Marcoleta said the motu proprio investigation, dubbed “Philippines Under Water”, was prompted by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s recent disclosure that at least 15 contractors cornered a disproportionate share of flood control projects worth around P100 billion.
“It’s time to find out and analyze the truth behind the anomalies surrounding the contracts allocated for flood control. Enough with the circling and diverting from the real problem,” Marcoleta said.
“The root of the issue before us boils down to rampant corruption in government. It is like cancer slowly destroying our country. Records will show that billions are spent every year, but lives and properties are still lost due to failures in flood control,” he added.
Marcoleta said the panel would look into potential violations of procurement laws, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials.
He added that the panel would assess the quality and effectiveness of completed projects, examine systemic weaknesses in procurement and monitoring, and recommend legislation to strengthen oversight.
Ghost projects confirmed
During the hearing, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials admitted receiving reports of ghost projects in Bulacan, particularly in Calumpit, Hagonoy, and Malolos.
These were linked to Wawao Builders, a contractor allegedly awarded P9 billion worth of projects nationwide, with P5.9 billion concentrated in Bulacan alone.
Pressed by Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, DPWH representatives conceded that some projects were undergoing “validation” and acknowledged information pointing to ghost projects.
“In all honesty, Your Honor, I think so,” DPWH Sec. Manuel Bonoan replied when asked if ghost projects existed.
Estrada called the situation “nakakadiri” (disgusting) and demanded full disclosure of project awards and payments.
The committee agreed to subpoena company representatives for the next hearings.
‘Grand robbery’
Senator Erwin Tulfo described the flood control program, which has reached P545.6 billion in funding, as “nothing less than a grand robbery of our nation.”
“Before a project is even implemented, contractors are asked to shell out 20 to 25 percent commissions to politicians and officials. That is why projects are substandard or worse, ghost projects. At every level of approval, from district engineers up to undersecretaries, additional cuts are imposed until only 30 to 40 percent of the project’s value remains,” Tulfo said.
He alleged that some DPWH officials own construction firms themselves and benefit from “in-house” projects, while others have amassed wealth, including luxury mansions, planes, and casino stakes.
“Names must be named. Heads must roll. Justice must be served,” Tulfo said.
Funds not matching flood-prone areas
Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito raised concerns over a “mismatch” in the allocation of the P350 billion annual flood control budget. He questioned whether a master plan exists and is being followed.
“My only question is, where does the P350 billion go? In flood-prone areas like Central Luzon, what we need are floodways, spillways, impounding areas, and strategic pumping stations. But allocations don’t reflect this,” Ejercito said.
License renting among contractors
Senator Imee Marcos pointed out that many of the contractors flagged by the President do not build flood control structures themselves but instead rent out licenses to smaller players.
“Of the 15 contractors, only nine are actually named firms. The rest are merely leasing their triple-A and quadruple-A licenses for a fee. These are not real builders of flood control,” Marcos said.
She also criticized the chronic underfunding of long-proposed projects such as the Parañaque Spillway and the dredging of Laguna de Bay.
“Put your money where your mouth is. Stop shelving these master plans as ‘unprogrammed,’” she said.
Redirect funds to classrooms
Senator Bam Aquino, who had earlier filed a resolution seeking a probe into flood control spending, noted that the annual budget for flood control is larger than the funds needed to address the nationwide classroom shortage.
“If ghost projects can be eliminated, funds should instead go to classrooms that we know will directly benefit our children,” Aquino said, adding that the flood control budget in one year alone could cover the backlog in classrooms affected by recent storms and flooding.
Aquino also questioned why allocations were reaching areas with little to no flooding, while genuinely flood-prone provinces were left underfunded.
Call for accountability
Marcoleta assured the public that the hearings would not be used for politics or grandstanding.
“We owe our people the truth. No stone shall be left unturned and no one shall be spared,” he said.
The committee is set to summon contractors, examine procurement and financial records, and pursue leads on alleged ghost projects and anomalies.
“We must find out who profited while thousands of Filipinos were left to wade through floodwaters,” Marcoleta said.
