New senators vow to plug ‘pork’ in flood control projects

Metro Manila, Philippines - With the government’s flood control projects in hot water, some newly-elected senators slammed the alleged misuse of funds for these projects as “pork barrel,” promising to keep a tight watch as the 20th Congress opens its session.

Senator Erwin Tulfo expressed his frustration during a visit to an evacuation center in Quezon City on Wednesday, July 23, sharply criticizing fellow lawmakers for allegedly meddling in the problematic flood control program.

This comes amid repeated allegations that billions of pesos are being inserted into these projects for personal gain – similar to the “pork barrel” discretionary funds the Supreme Court long ago declared unconstitutional.

“Huwag natin pakialaman ‘yung flood control na iyan. Leave it to the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways),” he said.

He committed to push for an investigation into the matter.

“I’ll make sure na national government ang mag-implement ng flood control. Hindi politiko, hindi si congressman, hindi si senador, kundi public works and highways, the national government,” he added.

[Translation: I’ll make sure that the national government will implement flood control—not politicians, not congressmen, not senators, but the Department of Public Works and Highways, the national government.]

Tulfo claimed even President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has acknowledged the problem and has reportedly stopped the release of funds for flood control projects.

“Wala siya pinaparelease pa sa flood control dahil nakita niya may mga problema. You ask Malacañang about it. I know it. May nagsabi sa akin,” he said.

[Translation: He hasn’t released any funds for flood control because he saw there were problems. You can ask Malacañang about it. I know it. Someone told me.]

NewsWatch Plus has reached out to Malacañang for comment.

In a separate statement on Tuesday, Senator Ping Lacson, known for his strict scrutiny of the national budget, highlighted a case in Oriental Mindoro where one small barangay received P1.9 billion, while another was allocated a staggering P10 billion.

He vowed to rigorously grill officials implicated in these cases during the upcoming budget deliberations.

"Sa akin tama na ang put them on notice may nakikialam na may nag-aaral na may nakukuhang datos na tatanungin kayo,” he said.

[Translation: For me, it's enough to put those concerned on notice that someone is watching, that they have studied the relevant data.]