Palace urges Lacson, Magalong to report flood control anomalies to Marcos

Metro Manila, Philippines - Malacañang has urged Senator Panfilo Lacson and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong to submit names and evidence on alleged corruption in flood control projects directly to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., following their claims implicating lawmakers and contractors.

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website is open for such reports, assuring that whistleblowers may remain anonymous for their safety.

"Kahit sino po ay puwedeng mag-report at hindi po kinakailangang ilagay ang inyong pangalan kung kayo po ay natatakot," Castro said.

[Translation: Anyone can report and you are not required to give your name if you are afraid.]

She stressed that all submissions must be backed by proof.

"Siguraduhin lamang po ninyo na iyong ire-report ninyo ay may basehan para hindi masayang ang oras ng gobyerno… sana verified at mayroon po talaga kayong alam," she said.

[Translation: Make sure what you report has a basis so the government’s time is not wasted… it must be verified and you must really know the facts.]

Lacson recently revealed that at least 67 members of the House of Representatives in 2022 were allegedly acting as contractors for their own government-funded infrastructure projects — either directly or through relatives — creating potential conflicts of interest.

Citing a conversation with another lawmaker, Lacson said the actual number could be higher as more officials are “enticed” to enter the contracting business.

He suggested that lawmakers or their family members take control of construction companies to save costs and secure profits from projects they themselves have funded.

Magalong, a former police general, has also expressed willingness to lead an investigation into the alleged scheme, responding to House accounts committee chair Rep. Terry Ridon’s challenge to present evidence.

“Tawagin na lang nila ako, huwag na silang magdadaldal pa,” Magalong said.

[Translation: Just call me, no more useless talk.]

He said he has attended numerous congressional hearings in the past and is ready to present documents showing contract prices and detailed cost breakdowns, which he claims already prove irregularities.

Castro said if Lacson and Magalong have specific names and evidence, they should directly submit them to the President for faster investigation.

"Welcome po lahat iyan at bigyan lang po nila ng kumpletong detalye… ayaw po nating magkaroon ng witch hunting na kahit wala pang ebidensiya," she said.

[Translation: All such reports are welcome, just provide complete details… we don’t want witch hunts without evidence.]

She also clarified that the 15 contractors cited by Marcos in his recent address are not yet blacklisted, as the list only indicates firms with multiple government-awarded projects.

“Ang magiging basehan po nito ay kung existing ba iyong project, operational ba, at effective ba… una, ghost project ba iyan; kung existing man, operational ba; at kung gumagana, epektibo ba para sa pagkontrol ng baha,” she said.