Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said on Wednesday, August 20 that only about forty (40) percent of funding for flood control projects are utilized for implementation.

Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson (Senate PRIB photo)

Lacson, in his privilege speech entitled “Flooded Gates of Corruption,” bared this as he slammed the “evident pattern of nasty distribution” of public funds in ghost flood control projects.

The senator also disclosed what he called a “passing through or parking fee” that amounts to five (5) to six (6) percent of the fund which is considered “royalty” –a term for grease money being given to politicians in control over the district where the project will be implemented or built.

“Lo and behold, Mr. President: 20-25% usually goes to the funder or project proponent who is a politician,” Lacson said.

“Mr. President, the remaining funds for the construction of the project would be very fortunate to reach 40% or 40 million pesos according to our example of P100 million,” he said.

“Mr. President, there is an evident pattern of this nasty distribution of public funds among crooks,” he stressed.

Moreover, he also said that based on the study made by his office, the budget for flood control projects would be “sliced” not only for grease money, but also commissions, SOPs (standard operating procedures) and other terms only corrupt officials would coin for their so-called “shares.”

Most of the time, eight (8) to 10 percent would go to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials—and it’s considered “lucky” if the district engineer would only ask for a six (6) percent share from the whole project.

On the other hand, the extra two (2) to three (3) percent would go to the District Engineering Office if there is a “surplus” in the Contractor’s Profit.

Five (5) to six (6) percent would go to members of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC); and 0.5 to 1 percent for the Commission on Audit (COA).

“These figures are based on the ‘case studies’ that we went to and thoroughly investigated in various parts of the country, particularly on the issue of flood control. We did not include in my presentation those that were investigated and already revealed by the President,” Lacson stressed.

“What is clear is that the pattern of how thieves are massacring the public funds is almost the same,” he lamented.

Sen. Loren Legarda lauded Lacson’s bravery and echoed his outrage at the corruption that continues to stain the country’s flood control programs and many other public projects.

“Billions, and possibly even trillions of pesos are lost, substandard works are delivered, and yet—year after year—the floods still come, washing away homes, dreams, and lives,” said Legarda.

“We have been hell-bent on punitive measures—kulong dito, kaso doon—and while punishment is important, history tells us it has not been enough. It has to be coupled with a more meaningful strategy to reform our governance systems,” she said.

“We must be able to treat corruption as a developmental issue that everyone must act on and address,” she added.

Legarda stressed “corruption is not just a legal issue: It is a mindset issue.”

“So yes, we must investigate. Yes, we must prosecute. But alongside that, we must also nurture a culture of tapat na paglilingkod, so that the next generation will not even think twice about choosing honesty,” she said.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros also applauded Lacson’s courage in bringing to light these harrowing and urgent issues of large-scale corruption.

“I read on Facebook: ‘The Philippines is not poor. We are plundered.’ I could not agree more,” she said.

“If an ordinary Filipino were to steal, he would be immediately imprisoned and his life could be ruined. But stealing by officials through corruption seems to be a part of life that everyone accepts,” Hontiveros lamented.

“I cannot accept that, and I can count on Senator Lacson to look into this issue,” she stressed.