Deputy Speaker Puno Addresses Classroom Corruption Allegations
Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno firmly stated that lawmakers cannot benefit from alleged corruption schemes involving classroom construction. This assurance comes amid claims that corruption has extended beyond flood control projects to include classrooms. Officials reported that a strict system governs classroom building, making it impossible for legislators to manipulate the process.
During a briefing at the Batasang Pambansa, Puno was asked about Vice President Sara Duterte’s accusations that some House members profit from corrupt schemes linked to classroom construction. However, he clarified that the Department of Education (DepEd) maintains a clear, regulated procedure, with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) responsible for the actual building work.
Clear Procedures in Classroom Construction
“For classrooms? No, the procedures in constructing classrooms are clear,” Puno explained. “You have to be part of DepEd’s list, you have to identify if it is a place that really needs classrooms more than the other places. Then like what happened before, if it is identified, what happens is that the DPWH does the construction.” Community members added that this system prevents arbitrary awarding of contracts.
He further noted that DPWH juggles many infrastructure projects, including roads and bridges, which sometimes delays classroom completion. “That is our experience in Antipolo, for example, DepEd has assigned classrooms, but there is a longer waiting time. So, we really need to monitor that, all of the taxpayer’s money should be monitored,” Puno emphasized.
Past Issues Differ from Classroom Projects
While DepEd has encountered procurement problems in the past, such as with textbooks, Puno highlighted that classroom construction has maintained a solid reputation. “In fairness to everybody who has been a secretary of the Department of Education, by and large, the people respect them. Long ago there were problems with textbooks. But for the construction of the school building, I think so far, they have been able to maintain a good reputation and a good job,” officials reported.
Lawmakers Not Solely Responsible for Corruption
When asked if lawmakers easily earn alleged kickbacks from other projects, Puno stressed that not all legislators are involved in corruption. “There is a presumption that lawmakers split public funds. I don’t want to make that assumption. I think it’s not right that we accuse everyone. That’s not true, because there are some good people here although sometimes it may be hard to find. But I don’t think we can make wholesale accusations,” he said.
Instead, he pointed to the agencies responsible for budget allocation and project implementation, such as the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and DPWH, as the real focus of concern. “My thesis is that it is not the congressmen’s fault. We will talk about that in next discussions. I really think it’s a problem of the agency. The Department of Public Works really needs a complete overhaul regarding their processes and systems. We need to study and change it. That’s the direction of my proposed investigation on the matter, and that also includes DBM,” Puno added.
Concerns Over National Expenditures Program Allocations
During the same briefing, Puno raised red flags about the National Expenditures Program (NEP). He noted that several budget items in the proposed 2026 DBM budget include funding for projects already completed. Local leaders recalled Marikina 1st District Rep. Marcelino Teodoro’s statement that he plans to return funds for finished projects back to DBM.
Checking on his own district in Antipolo, Puno discovered that some projects previously provided by the DPWH district and regional engineering offices were no longer included in the NEP. This inconsistency raises questions about budget management and transparency.
Vice President Duterte’s Corruption Concerns
Recently, Vice President Sara Duterte, while in The Hague, Netherlands, expressed concern that the government focuses too heavily on flood control issues. She warned that corruption is not a new problem and has affected classroom construction as well. Sources said she previously led DepEd before tensions arose with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
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