President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered a full-scale investigation into corruption behind failed and non-existent flood-control projects, which worsened the effects of recent typhoons.
Speaking at the Plenary Hall on Monday, July 28, Marcos condemned the projects as “pigments of imagination,” blaming colluding officials and contractors for substandard and ghost infrastructures that left communities defenseless against widespread flooding.
“Kamakailan lamang nag-inspection ako sa naging epekto ng bagyong Crising, Dante, at Emong. Kitang-kita ko na maraming proyekto para sa flood control ay palpak at gumuho. At ‘yung iba, guni-guni lang,” Marcos said in his hour-and-17-minute address.
Marcos did not mince words, accusing those involved of using public projects as money-making schemes. “Wag na po tayong magkunwari. Alam naman ng buong madla na nagkakaraket sa mga proyekto,” he said.
Among the schemes mentioned were kickbacks and collusion. “Kaya sa mga nakikipagsabwatan upang kunin ang pondo ng bayan at nakawin ang kinabukasan ng ating mamamayan, mahiya naman kayo sa inyong kapwa Pilipino,” the President stressed.
He continued, “Mahiya naman kayo sa mga kabahayan nating naanod o nalubog sa mga pagbaha. Mahiya naman kayo lalo sa mga anak natin na magmamana sa mga utang na ginawa ninyo sa binulsa n’yong pera.”
To ensure accountability, Marcos announced that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will submit a complete list of all flood-control projects initiated or completed over the past three years. This list will undergo scrutiny by Regional Project Monitoring Committees to flag failed, ghost, and substandard projects—and will be made public.
“Isasapubliko natin ang listahang ito, kaya ang publiko na saksi sa mga proyektong ito ay malayang suriin ang listahan at magbahagi ng kanilang nalalaman para makatulong sa ating imbestigasyon,” he said.
Marcos also ordered a performance review and audit to determine how government funds were spent. He warned that by next month, those identified as guilty—including contractors in collusion—will face legal action.
“Sa susunod na buwan makakasuhan ang lahat ang mga lalabas na may sala mula sa imbestigasyon pati na ang kasabwat na kontratista sa buong bansa,” he declared.
“Kailangang malaman ng taumbayan ang buong katotohanan. Kailangang may managot sa naging matinding pinsala at katiwalian,” Marcos stressed. (Betheena Unite)
