House Issues Contempt Warning Amid Flood Control Probe
In a rare move, the House of Representatives has warned resource persons with possible contempt orders as the infra-committee launched its investigation into anomalous flood control projects. This stern warning emphasized the committee’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the budget process.
During the first hearing, Antipolo City 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop questioned Public Works Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral about the procedures from project proposal submission to implementation. The lawmaker sought clarity on how projects submitted by the District Engineering Office (DEO) of Antipolo differed from those listed in the proposed 2026 budget or the National Expenditures Program (NEP), noting four items had been changed.
Discrepancies in Project Allocations Raised
Acop directly asked, “Now, may I know, if it was you who changed the projects submitted by DEOs?” Cabral responded, “No your Honor, we only pick up what the regional coordinators prioritize based on the regional budget proposal, your Honor.”
Despite Cabral’s explanation, Acop pressed further about the apparent changes. “No, what I’m asking you Madam Undersecretary — because you are the head of the department for plans — the DEO submitted projects, our DEO, but there seemed to be some changes. Would you agree with that?”
Cabral maintained it was a matter of prioritization rather than alteration and promised to trace who exactly made the changes from the DEO submissions to the NEP entries.
Regional Director Faces Contempt Threat
Growing frustrated, Acop then turned to Regional Director Jovel Mendoza of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region IV-A, asking if he was responsible for the project modifications. Mendoza’s refusal to give a direct answer prompted Acop to warn, “He is not answering my questions, my patience is wearing thin. I will move to cite you in contempt.”
When Mendoza denied making changes, Acop returned to Cabral, who reiterated reliance on the regional budget proposal. The representative then ordered her to provide copies of the DEO’s submitted projects and the regional director’s proposal to compare them with the final NEP list.
“But there were changes eh, can you please provide this representation a copy of the project submitted by the DEO of my jurisdiction, submitted by the regional director. Let us see if what the DEO submitted and what the regional office handed to you are the same,” Acop requested.
Cabral agreed to provide the regional budget proposal but was warned, “Otherwise I will cite you also, move to cite you in contempt Madam Undersecretary. Yeah, I’m not fooling here this afternoon.”
Contempt Orders Revived in Flood Control Investigation
Contempt orders had previously gained attention during the 19th Congress quad committee hearings, which investigated illegal activities tied to offshore gaming, the illicit drug trade, and alleged rights violations. Acop was among the officials who pushed to cite resource persons in contempt for evasive answers.
Concerns Over Budget Allocations and Ghost Projects
Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno, also from Antipolo, recently raised concerns about the NEP, highlighting that some proposed 2026 budget items funded already completed projects. He referenced Marikina 1st District Rep. Marcelino Teodoro’s intention to return such funds to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
Upon reviewing his own district’s allocations, Puno discovered that certain projects submitted by the district and regional engineering offices were missing from the NEP. To address this, he filed House Resolution No. 201, calling for an investigation into the alleged “ghost” flood control projects in the 2025 national budget.
In a statement, Puno cited the President’s revelation that a large portion of flood control contracts were awarded to only 15 contractors. He also referenced Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson’s Senate privilege speech, which exposed mechanisms allegedly used by officials and contractors to divert public funds.
For more news and updates on anomalous flood control projects, visit Filipinokami.com.
