Lawmakers Deny Allegations in Flood Control Projects
Amid rising concerns over alleged irregularities in flood control projects, La Union 1st District Rep. Paolo Ortega V firmly stated that claims linking all legislators to anomalies in infrastructure spending are baseless. He emphasized that accusations tying every congressman to these issues lack evidence and unfairly generalize the entire legislative body.
“We do not choose contractors. The role of a congressman is only to bring the people’s needs to the government. If approved, the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) implements the project. The process is very clear,” Ortega explained in Filipino, clarifying the lawmakers’ limited role in project implementation.
Clear Roles and Transparent Processes
Ortega highlighted that legislators have no undue influence over contractors or project execution. Instead, their responsibility is to convey constituents’ needs to government agencies, which handle the actual implementation. He expressed concern over social media attacks that paint all congressmen with the same brush, stating, “There is no basis, no evidence—just intrigue. Even the innocent get implicated. As for us in La Union, our record is clean and there are no anomalies in the district’s projects.”
He assured the public that all flood control infrastructure projects in his district are fully accounted for and functional. “There are no ghost projects in my district, in La Union, or in the entire region, and no failed flood control projects. All projects are visible and used by the people. They are not made up but provide concrete services,” he added.
Close Monitoring and Accountability
To ensure the quality and transparency of projects, Ortega’s office coordinates closely with local government units and barangay officials. This collaboration guarantees that every stage of project implementation is monitored. He also noted that substandard projects are swiftly addressed to prevent any conflicts or failures.
Ortega expressed readiness to cooperate with any investigation regarding flood control projects, reinforcing his commitment to transparency and accountability.
Calls for Investigation and Broader Concerns
Recently, House Deputy Speaker and Antipolo 1st District Rep. Ronaldo Puno urged the House of Representatives to investigate alleged ghost flood control projects under the 2025 national budget. He also called for scrutiny of the Department of Budget and Management’s role in disbursing public funds, aiming to uncover potential misappropriations.
This appeal came after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. revealed that only 15 out of 2,409 accredited contractors received major flood control project contracts. Meanwhile, Senator Panfilo Lacson delivered a privilege speech outlining alleged fund diversions by public officials and contractors.
Lacson pointed out that some serious congressional insertions involved projects in Baco and Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. These projects were later linked to Congressman Arman Panaligan, whose name appeared on a slide showing his accomplishment report from June 30, 2022, to December 31, 2023. Although Lacson did not name Panaligan directly, sources confirmed the connection.
Conclusion
As scrutiny over flood control projects intensifies, legislators like Ortega maintain their innocence and urge a fair, evidence-based approach. The ongoing calls for investigation highlight the importance of transparency and accountability in public infrastructure spending.
For more news and updates on flood control project anomalies, visit Filipinokami.com.
