Senate Probe Uncovers Massive Corruption in Flood Control Projects

By: Lyka Agustin

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigates allegations of misuse of public funds for the flood control projects and other infrastructure as it uncovered the alleged corruption, chaired by Senator Rodante Marcoleta on Tuesday September 8.

The hearing revealed testimonies and evidence of "ghost" projects and substandard construction with billions of pesos in public funds seemingly funneled into fraudulent schemes.

As investigation continues, the more ways to expose a massive misuse of taxpayer money, drawing focus on the accountability of officials involved.

A State Witness Blows the whistle

Private contractors Pasifico “Curlee” Discaya II and Sarah Discaya testified to the hearing with their sworn statements, offering to become state witnesses to reveal the anomalies among lawmakers and government agencies.

"Handa kaming tumestigo na walang pilit at kusang loob bilang state witness at sabihin ang lahat ng nangyayaring katiwalian ng kamara, DPWH, at iba pang mga kawani ng gobyerno upang gawin ang tama," Curlee said.

At the same time, they emphasized that they have never engaged in "ghost projects” and presented themselves as victims of a system that forces honest contractors into corrupt practices.

“Hindi namin ginusto kailanman na mapasama sa ganitong sistema, pero kailangan namin magpatuloy para sa pamilya at mga empleyado namin. Dahil sa aming paglaban sa mga tiwaling bidding, maraming beses na naming naranasan na ma-disqualify ng bids and awards committee ng DPWH na hawak ng mga mambabatas na nagpondo sa proyekto," she added

Discayas formally requested protection and security for their family from the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. following their bombshell.

Alleged Kickback Schemes

The couple Discaya testified that they were allegedly forced to pay significant kickbacks to help to secure government contracts for flood-control projects.

They had no choice but to comply, fearing that officials would otherwise create problems like "mutual termination" or "right-of-way issues" to prevent their awarded projects from moving forward.

“Sabi nila dapat tanggpin namin ang realidad na dapat kami magbayad sa mga mambabatas kung gusto namin magpatuloy na magkaroon ng project sa gobyerno. Kung hindi binabalaan nila na matanggal sa listahan ang kumpanya namin at hindi makakakuha ng anumang proyekto.”

They claimed that at least 17 members of the House of Representatives demanded about 25% of the total cost of each approved project.

Meanwhile, the percentages were given in cash, and each transaction has a voucher and a ledger stating which day the money was received by the other party.

The Crocodile Pit

At the third Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, Pasifico "Curlee" Discaya II identified several congressmen and DPWH officials who allegedly solicited money from his office after it won a government project bid for flood-control projects.

Former Presidential Assistant for Visayas Usec. Terrence Calatrava Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo Uswag Ilonggo party-list Rep. Jojo Ang Quezon City Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas Quezon City Rep. Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde Agap party-list Rep. Nicanor Briones Marikina Rep. Marcelino Teodoro San José del Monte Rep. Florida Robes Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona Laguna Rep. Benjamin Agarao Jr. Former An-Waray party-list Rep. Florencio Noel Occidental Mindoro Rep. Leody Tarriela Quezon Rep. Reynante Arrogancia Former Quezon City Rep. Marvin Rillo Aklan Rep. Teodoro Haresco Former Zamboanga Sibugay Rep. Antonieta Eudela Caloocan Rep. Dean Asistio Quezon City Rep. Marivic Co-Pilar

On the other hand, Discaya also named the following from DPWH officials are involved in the flood control scheme: Regional Director Eduarte Virgilio of DPWH Region 5 Director Ramon Arriola III of Unified Project Management Offices (UPMO) District Engineer Henry Alcantara of DPWH Bulacan 1st Undersecretary Robert Bernardo District Engineer Aristotle Ramos of DPWH Metro Manila 1st District Engineer Manny Bulusan of DPWH North Manila DEO District Engineer Edgargo Pingol of DPWH Bulacan sub-DEO District Engineer Michael Rosaria of DPWH Quezon 2nd DEO

“Karamihan sa mga kawani DPWH na nabanggit sa itaas ay paulit ulit na ang delivery ng pera ay para kay Zaldy Co na dapat at least 25 percent. Si Cong. Marvin Rillo naman ay ilang beses binabanggit ang pangalan ni Speaker Martin Romualdez bilang malapit niyang kaibigan.” Discaya said.

He added that Congressman Rilo said all of his funding requests came from unprogrammed funds and insertions that were personally approved by Speaker Martin.

Parking and Sagasa Schemes

Meanwhile, Toby Tiangco's testimony centered on the alleged practice of inserting billions of pesos into the national budget.

Tiangco defined "parking" as a lawmaker getting permission to insert a project into a district's budget, while "sagasa" is the more aggressive act of doing so without their consent.

He alleged that a "Small Committee" made these changes, raising questions about budget transparency and accountability.

Additionally, Rep. Zaldy Co. was specifically accused of being behind P13.8B in budget insertions, causing Oriental Mindoro's budget to allegedly "ballooned" from P2.5B to P20 B, as a result , this massive budget increase was linked to flood-control projects corruption.

Conclusion

The ongoing probe spotlights an urgent need for transparency and reform in managing public funds.

Ultimately, the investigation points to a deeply rooted crisis of accountability among government officials and the legislature who are involved in the said high level corruption.