Fmr SP Franklin Drilon says the flood control controversies have no equal in his 34 years of govt service

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Perhaps it is so massive and so scandalous:   ghost projects,  cut and paste, uncompleted projects op, etc 

Massive 20-25% commissions for just including in NEP, UA, or Bicam, paid in advance.    etc.    Milking raiding the treasury progressed from pork barrel, PDAF and now flood control projects.   How creative our top leaders can be  Whom we entrust with out taxes and nations future. 

 

Former SP Escudero points to fmr HOR speaker Martin Romualdez as mastermind behind the flood control projects

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Sen Chiz Escudero, in a privilege speech before a Senate Plenary session points to fmr HOR Speaker Martin Romualdez as the mastermind behind the flood control projects  He urged every one to rip the script/narrative of Romualdez to divert attention on the anomalous flood control controversy.

The good senator was seen to be defending himself and distancing himself from:    1   insertions emanating from the Senate;    2.   allegations that he received millions of campaign funds from contractor.

This is going to be the start of the fight between two former boss of the Legislative bodies.  Where will this lead to?    Who will win?   Who will be jailed?  

Cong Elizalde Co resigns as Congressman

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Cong Elizalde (Zaldy Co) has sent irrevocable letter of resignation as  Ako Bikol Party List Representative amidst grave threat to his and family's life, and amidst lack of due process in current flood control anomalies.  Most damning was Orly Guteza testimony before Senate Blue Ribbon committee that directly linked him to the current controversy:  ie delivering suitcases full of money to the latter's residence.

He resigned on the deadline given to him by Speaker of the House Faustino Dy III to return to the Philippines

No one knows the whereabouts of Cos family:  USA or Europe?

Why there was violence in the streets of Manila yesterday,, September 21, 2025

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It was heart pounding watching these videos.  It makes you  afraid but you could notice that those leading the violence looked like they are provocateurs and perhaps paid:   they wore bonnets, had black clothing and wore masks. They were not protesting or  holding a rally.  They were destroying and fighting and hurting authorities.  They destroyed traffic lights, islands and barriers.   This is no way to protest against wrong doing by doing another wrongdoing   They are organized.    And that should be investigated.  The destruction of public property was just as sad and ironic:   protest vs those who plundered govt property.

This post condemns the acts of plunder and pillage of govt treasury;  equally condemnable were acts of anarchy  and crimes against police officers (who had nothing to do with the acts of high govt officials).  We value order vs disorder.  WE are sure there is still Divine Justice

The Sept rally was a perfect storm for many factors:

1.  The Duterte PBBM conflict which included the arrest and extradition to the Hague of PRRD;

2.   The flood control scandal which were featured live on TV provoking anger in many of the watchers.

3.    The anti PBBM growth wanting him to step down for poor governance

4.    The scandalous and hurting display of wealth by nepo babies, the contractors, employees and official of the govt department for roads and highways;  pictures of millions stacked for distribution  to the commissioners (elected govt officials?)

5.   Anomalous GAA with insertions, the diversion of Philhealth, PDIC funds to be part of UA

6.    The widespread huge corruption of govt funds and taxpayers money.

7/    The floods brought about by typhoons and coupled with 2.

The riots were bound to erupt and explode and they did.   

We do not want this order.  We want Peace.   in the Philippines

Ostentious display of wealth prohibited among govt officials prohibited RA 6713

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Its scandalous that the children and wives of politicians are being bashed at soc media because they say, the sins of parents are not the sins of children.  But there are laws that prohibit such display of profligacy:   RA 6713:   

     Section 4h:    h) Simple living. - Public officials and employees and their families shall lead modest lives appropriate to their positions and income. They shall not indulge in extravagant or ostentatious display of wealth in any form.

Take note nepo babies and DPWH contractors too.  Maybe the law declared it so because it hurts.  Its like rubbing salt into an open wound.   It must include also government contractors and suppliers?

EDSA Shrine protest rally today vs Flood Control anomalies more rallies planned

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The public has had enough of corruption news and has gone into protests because of the moro2 and what is perceived as gloved approach to handling these scandals.  A rally was held at EDSA today, and much bigger one tomorrow.  There were other leaders calling for attack on the houses of the corrupt congressmen

Senators implicated in the flood control project anomalies. There could be more

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Two solons were linked to the ongoing investigation on flood control anomalies.  News has it that Senate could lose its quorum (being less than 13)

The corurption MO varied over the years:    pork barrel, PDAF, now its flood control projects

How sad?!

Congressmen senators linked to flood control mess

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The contractors who are being pressed to tell names linked at least 3 senators and 60+  congressmen to flood control ghost projects and other anomlies.  Sen Lacson, now the Chair of blue ribbon committee cautioned however that they can not be charged without valid receipts ... He3.  They will not sign receipts.   Who does (Judas)     

15 contractors cornered P100 billion of flood control projects?

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There are surveys and conversation going around:   if you want to be super rich, a millionaire or billionaire, what would your career be?  It is no longer  being a superb businessmen with lots of self improvement and sacrifice.  A group says be a contractor;   another said  DP.. contractor, and others said be a ....man.  What silly and bad answers.  A loss of sense of morality and right.

1.  Surely there was a lack of oversight.  The auditors and the Secy of the Dept was sleeping (or worse in cahoots)

2.  That this went on for sometime means, it has blessing of higher ups (and therefore participates in the sharing.  Napoles we think was taught if not just encouraged to carry out the PDAF loophole to to her thing.

3.  That the head pretends not to know this, feigning surprise is surprising.   

4.  The conversation gives bad example to the young:   that it is ok to steal big time in the country, that the big time plunderers, pillagers will not get caught;  That thieves were suits and barong Tagalog.

They say, that in leadership, the HEADS LEAD THE TAILS.  What kind of heads do we have.  Shall we cut the head to stop these crooks

Thank you for the people who are exposing this and demanding accountability.  The guilty ones should be censured and legally made accountable

COA orders fraud audit on flood control projects

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Was CoA present?

Or is sleeping on the job?  

Sa laki ng ginasta sa flood control, dapat hindi masyado baha.   Eh lumalala lang.  Eh climate change ang convenient alibi

Bilyon2 plunder, pagdusta sa sambayanang Pilipino.   Iyan ang sambayanan     

Senate probe into flood control projects

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Anomalous

Ghost projects

Copy paste projects.

Substandard construction

The structures are easily carried away by floods and really do not work - control the floods.

How shameful.  

Top 15 contractors.  Contractors congressmen

50% KB to Legislators, lgu heads, only 30% goes to the project materials and labor.

This angers and scandalizes many taxpayers who are hounded by BIR who sweat blood and tears just to be able to pay the taxes and do these.  Those that are funded by borrowings, we pay them anywhere

And the budget for DPWH is P1B/day.   

What happened:   1.  No one supervises   2  No audit (CoA is in cohoots or turns blind eye may pilak na tapal sa mata

This was not given much attention in the past.   Even in maybe Pnoy or Duterte time.    Where are the leaders all this time.  Thanks to Senate Leadership now for this initiative.   

The media and the top leaders gave much attention to the impeachment to divert attention to this wholesale plunder?  DAPAT TALAGANG MAHIYA

PHL President presents 15 top contractors of DPWH

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True to his SONA speech when he chastened  contractors for the flood control projects, the President presented the top 15 contractos of the govt.  One of them stood out as owneds by a congressmen from Region VI.   This is clearly a conflict of interest and hypocritical for investigating minions for alleged graft but they themselves are committing violations of morality and good governance.

It is good that the Pres is taking steps, probably stopping some other corrupt officials who are also contractors to stop their evil ways.   I have met at least two DPWH contractors and seen them in meetings loaded with 8 figures worth of jewelry:    karatted earrings and necklaces, gold watch.

With reported 50% sop for those who are responsible for the paperworks of project, this is large scale theft, plunder of Phil Treasury and must stop.   Its unfair for taxpayers, who pay the taxes and trillions worth of debt that the govt is incurring

End of bloodbath, fireworks at Legislature? SC rules VP impeachment unconstitutional

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The much awaited impeachment of VP Sara is most likely not going thru as SC rules the impeachment vs the VP is unconstitutional.  Some quarters, netizen, anti VP are quick to conclude that there has been a change of PHP for this ruling (What a shame for the netizen).  But it is truly fair and just.  We respect the SC and its cogent ruling.   The end of story... of bloodbath... We can now refocus and rebuilding the country after the flood:   search for the flood control projects that did not work.  Do a no nonsense work of country governance and maybe seek advice for the leader who seem clueless as to the reality in the country.   And make more sensible statements.   

P80 million for road rehab project (flood control)

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This post conversed with a construction worker of a road rehab project being undertaken in our street.  There were about 5 streets whose drainage were installed, two our included , included road paving project.    He said that DPWH engineers would conduct an inspection

How much were the project:   P80 million.  It is the impression of this post that P40 million would be on the high side.   Hmmmm.  

Perhaps, construction project are darling of congressmen, senators, and other official.  Like dredging project, it is difficult to monitor and arrive at right costing.    These guys need to live and live luxuriously.   

Bakit walang solusyon, bakit galit si Cong?

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Its a time for reckoning and accounting  PBBM eyes revival of River Basin project started by his father but which was stopped by DPWH in 1966

All problems have solution.  Other nations have more challenging problems with flooding and thefy were able to solve this.  It calls for imagination, hard work, and honesty.   

Running after politicians and contractors urged for flood control projects; P1.44 billion daily expenditures for flood control!?

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It is time.. To investigate DPWH, the 5,500 flood control projects.  Is there a master plan.  The excuse that we had an unsual amount of rainfall.   Projects should be planned for maxiuum or beyond maximum because we know there is climate change

Japan has planned ahead and anticipated rising maximum.  Designs are based on historical data.  We know that there is an increasing frequency of rainfall beyond the listed data

More energy and time should be spent on investigating this rather than ejk and other so called irregularity

Lame alibis:    1.   No budget for heavy equipment, dredging

                        2.  Other factors - social, environment;  others thought that they are working  together

.Pity the citizens who pay for this projects.  Pity the flood victims.  Mga kababayan.  Mga kadugo

Representative denies billions for flood control projects in Bicol.

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It was denied   It was said  that Bicol has one of the lowest funding for flood control

As this affect wide area of the country and millions of citizens, the same passion by quadcomm at Congress should be done by Senate for this inquiry.  It is time to stop irregularity for such delicate project like flood control  

Spend the funds properly for the purpose intended,

This post found out that most of flood control projects were for dikes.  Levees.   Our engineers should think out of the box and think beyond dredging and dikes.    There are others that can be explored and that can work.   

There has to be a masterplan.  Not patchwork projects as mentioned in earlier Senate hearing.

These were topics of earlier Senate hearing and nothing seem to be have come of the investigations./hearings

Flood control measures

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Flood mitigation measures.  

One of the first step is to obtain data and risk assessement of flooding.   Residents should be removed from harms way as those near low lying areas, rivers, lakes.   And permanently declared unhabitable.  The SC Mandamus might help

If it is necessary to declare certain Naga City unhabitable, let it be.  Am sure there are plenty of areas where the residents can be relocated.  We are constantly mired in this cycle of flooding and relief operations   One of the solution is not to have relief operations by stopping the cause

1,  Dams as in Holland.   Several dams were built at rives to  shorten the coastline.  And they were massive.  This was meant to defend the coastline of  Holland form the onslaught of the North Sea.  Remember Holland lies below sea level.  

2.  Dry retention ponds (in parks)  these may be parks or buildings where flood water flow can be diverted so that the flow is slowed down.  It could be football park, or buildings

3.  Separate storm and sewer lines

4.  Straightening storm drains

5.   Egg shaped drain storm drains

6.  Buried tubes to let water seep into the ground   As in Toronto and Tokyo

7.  Green infrastructures (to soak floodwater - sponge)  Shrubs and trees to absorb the flow of flood water

8.  Levees -  the traditional way of flood control.  But they collapse and causes flooding disaster.  

9.  Widening and reclaiming the flood plains for  improved water flow   (But what if the reiver banks have been improved or titled, reclaimed. 

Am sure the MDDRC have these measures that are proactive, not reactive.  

These alone or in combination can be constructed to mitigate flood

Our flood control engineers/geniuses can come up with better ideas. Or ask AI

We humbly submit

The Netherlands model for water management (flood control)

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If they can not control the floods mean that their survival is at risk.  (In fact, thousands died from the North Sea flood)

But the Dutch showed it can be done.  considering the future:   extreme weather, climate change etc.   

Can Bicolanos do this?  Can DPWH -  the chair of appropiations committee, the head of the legislature

Can we have a Delta plan for Naga City (where Bicol and Naga river meet).   We spent billions all ready for flood control     We dont need though that much PHP:   Six billion euros (about 420 billion php)

P61.42 billion appropiated for Bicol flood control, Sen Villanueva asks for accountability

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Massive budger appropiated for Bicol Flood control.  How come flooding was still massive.  Sen Villanueva asks DPWH to account for the appropriations

The Bicol representation has denied such huge budget and said the Bicol region receives some of the lowest budget for flood control     Let us see.

They must show the projects and try  harder the days to come.  

If ever there was corruption, we pray that their conscience still works.  Sayang pagsisimba.