𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝘆 𝗔𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗹𝘂
PRESIDENT BongBong Marcos delivered his fourth State of the Nation address last July 27 and one of the highlights of his speech was his sharp condemnation of corruption in flood control projects.
He said that the widespread failure of public infrastructure that are supposed to protect Filipinos and their communities from flooding are worth his administration’s deep investigation.
BongBong ordered a comprehensive audit and full transparency of flood control projects, as well as legal action against those found to have pocketed millions or even billions from such projects.
In all the affected areas during the onslaught of the Habagat and storms Dante and Emong, dikes breached, collapsed and destroyed flooding communities and even drowning several Filipinos.
Tarlac City was not spared from dike damages. The San Isidro portion of the Tarlac dike collapsed and was destroyed totally, even damaging several houses. The culprit for the dike construction—absence of steel reinforcement.
Who built the dike in Tarlac City? For sure not the administration of newly elected Mayor Susan Yap… also, not the administration of former Mayor Ace Manalang and Aro Mendoza.
Yes, you guessed it right, it was the administration of then mayor, now Congresswoman Cristy Angeles… and the contractor? Was it the favorite contractor the Angeles administration?
PBBM said, “Kitang-kita ko na maraming proyekto para sa flood control ay palpak at gumuho at yung iba, guni-guni lamang.”
The President exposed how public works have turned into a network of kickbacks, initiatives, tara, SOP, for the boys, in which all terms refer to corruption by senators, congressmen, governors, mayors, DPWH officials and even NIA officials.
“Kaya sa mga nakikipag-sabwatan upang kunin ang pondo ng bayan at nakawin ang kinabukasan ng ating mga mamamayan, mahiya naman kayo sa inyong kapwa Pilipino,” he said to the delight of those present including those who have a hand in amassing millions or even billions from defective flood control projects.
This is alarming to all those guilty of government malpractice when the chief executive directed the DPWH to submit comprehensive list of all flood control projects in the last three years.
PBBM also appealed for justice in behalf of flood victims and the future generations of Filipinos who will bear the burden of paying debt incurred through corrupt practices.
He furthered, “Mahiya naman kayo sa mga kabahayan nating naanod o nalubog sa mga pagbaha. Mahiya naman kayo lalo sa mga anak natin na magtatamasa sa mga utang na ginawa ninyo na ibulsa nyo lang ang pera,” and added, “Sa mga susunod na buwan, makakasuhan ang lahat ng mga lalabas na may sala mula sa imbestigasyon pati na ang mga kasabwat na kontratista sa buong bansa.”
Double and triple black eye to those elected officials who are facing election crimes such as “Vote Buying”, COA anomaly findings that include their officials and accusation of conflict of interest.
By the way, Senate President Chiz Escudero will file a bill banning officials’ relatives from serving as contractor and suppliers in any government entity. Relatives include a husband…a VICtory for Tarlaqueños if this bill passes both houses of congress.
