House Members as Contractors Fuel Corruption Concerns
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson revealed that at least 67 members of the House of Representatives in 2022 were involved as contractors in government-funded infrastructure projects. This alarming practice highlights deep-rooted conflicts of interest and corruption within the national budget process.
Lacson shared that during a private discussion with a fellow lawmaker at the start of the 19th Congress, he learned that 67 congressmen were either directly acting as contractors or had relatives managing construction companies. This arrangement gives them full control over projects they allocate funds for.
“Sabi ko ilan ba kako ngayon, sa bilang mo, ilan ang contractor dyan sa Batasan? Sabi niya ang huling bilang ko sa ngayon 67 pero alam ko mayroon pang iba,” Lacson said in a DZRH interview. (I asked him, ‘Based on your count, how many contractors are there now in the Batasan?’ He said, ‘As of my latest count, 67, but I know there are more.)
He added, “Siguro ngayon kasi ang iba na-engganyo, mag-contractor na lang tayo o kaya ang kamag-anak ang magha-handle ng construction company para maka-menos sila.” (Maybe now, others have been encouraged to just become contractors themselves, or have a relative run the construction company so they can cut costs.)
Flood Control Funds Under Scrutiny Amid Corruption Claims
As chair of the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation, Lacson emphasized the need to audit billions of pesos allocated for flood control projects, especially those quietly added during the bicameral conference on the 2025 national budget.
His comments echo President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent State of the Nation Address, where the President sharply warned unnamed officials, “Mahiya naman kayo.” Lacson noted that this message resonated strongly within Congress and the public.
“Ako, tuwang-tuwa talaga eh… malaking tulong yan kasi yan na ang marching order galing sa Pangulo,” he said. “Pero ang importante lang may follow-through.” (I was really glad… that’s a big help because it’s already a marching order from the President. But what’s important is that there’s follow-through.)
Corruption in Flood Control Projects
Lacson described flood control projects as some of the most corrupt government undertakings, particularly dredging operations where kickbacks can reach half the project cost. According to local accounts he received, a single backhoe was reportedly used across dozens of overpriced projects.
“Meron nga naikwento sa akin… 50 proyekto na sabay-sabay na tagpi-₱50 million, sa isang lugar ito ha. Isipin mo, 50 proyekto na iisang backhoe halos ang ginagamit,” he shared. (Someone even told me about 50 projects, all at once, each tagged at ₱50 million, all in just one area. Imagine that 50 projects use almost the same backhoe.)
“So kung tutuusin, maswerte na kung gumastos ng ₱500 million yun. Eh ₱2.5 billion, edi ₱2 billion agad yung nakulimbat,” he added. (So realistically, they’d be lucky to have spent ₱500 million. But the budget was ₱2.5 billion, so that’s ₱2 billion pocketed right away.)
Disguised Pork Barrel Still Plaguing Budget Process
Lacson warned lawmakers continue to bypass the Supreme Court’s 2013 ruling outlawing the pork barrel system. They disguise personal projects as line-item allocations, often lacking transparency, feasibility studies, or coordination with implementing agencies.
“Ang problema, pinaiikutan nila [ang ruling]… nila-line item nila pero hindi naman transparent. Walang pag-aaral. Ang nakakasama talaga, yung magsisingit, magre-realign sa budget pero wala namang koordinasyon man lang,” he explained. (The problem is they’re finding ways around the ruling… they itemize the projects, but there’s no transparency. No studies have been done. What makes it worse is when someone inserts or realigns funds in the budget without any coordination at all.)
Budget Bicameral Conference’s Code of Silence
Lacson highlighted how many questionable insertions happen during bicameral conference committee meetings, which lack minutes, official records, or transcripts. This makes it almost impossible to trace who proposed dubious projects.
“Ang bicam ng budget, walang minutes. Walang record talaga yan,” he said. (The budget bicam has no minutes. There’s really no official record.)
“Ang palatandaan na lang dyan kung saan province o distrito umusbong… doon lang iuugnay kung sino ang nag-propose,” he added. (The only clue is where the project appears—what province or district it pops up in… that’s the only way to link it to whoever proposed it.)
Push for Transparency in Budget Process
Senator Lacson has long advocated for his bill, People’s Participation in the National Budget Process, which would require public access and documentation of bicameral budget meetings. Despite filing it in 2017, the measure remains stalled in committee.
Calls for Independent Audit Body
Following President Marcos’ recent directive for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to list all flood control projects over the past three years, Lacson urged establishing an independent audit body. He warned that leaving DPWH to investigate itself risks producing sanitized reports.
“Mas maganda kung maka-form ang gobyerno ng isang independent body,” he said. “Kung hindi man sila mismo, eh tutulong na magbigay ng mga talagang mga information galing sa ground.” (It would be better if the government could establish an independent body. And if not directly under them, at least one that can help provide accurate, on-the-ground information.)
Lawmakers’ Role and Corruption Sophistication
Despite reports that some lawmakers plan to summon DPWH officials over these corruption revelations, Lacson dismissed Congress’s role in investigations with a firm “Nakupo” (Oh no).
He emphasized that corruption has grown more sophisticated, evolving from individual kickbacks to cartel-like collusion between contractors and officials.
“Ang masama pa dyan, nag-uusap na rin ang isang grupo ng contractor, alam na nila kung paano… luto na ang bidding,” Lacson explained. (What’s worse is that there’s already a group of contractors talking among themselves—they already know how it works… the bidding is rigged from the start.)
Rigged Bidding Schemes
Lacson described how contractors conspire to rig public bidding by pre-arranging project winners. They agree to take turns winning contracts so all parties profit regardless of who officially gets the job.
“Kaya ang nangyayari, yung mismong contractor na hindi nananalo, may kita na rin. Kaya ito naman, magpatalo na kayo, ito ang mga bid natin, taasan niyo sa inyo, sa susunod kayo naman,” he said. (That’s why even the contractor who doesn’t win still earns something. They agree among themselves—‘you lose this round, here are our bids, raise yours, next time it’s your turn’.)
“Ito ang napakasamang practice… napakarami ng innovation na ito lang naman ang pakay,” he added. (This is a terribly corrupt practice… so many so-called ‘innovations’ with just one goal in mind.)
He concluded by condemning this entrenched system prioritizing personal gain over public service, calling it truly revolting: “Yun ang talagang nakakasuklam.”
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