President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday used his State of the Nation Address (SONA) to warn government officials and contractors who colluded to pocket public funds meant for flood control would face charges next month.
“Let’s stop pretending,” President Marcos said, delivering his address in Filipino. “The public knows full well that there are people making money off these projects.”
“Recently, I conducted an inspection of the effects of Typhoons Crising, Dante and Emong. I saw firsthand that many flood control projects were substandard and collapsed. Others turned out to be mere pigments of imagination,” Marcos said.
“So to those conspiring to steal public funds and rob our citizens of their future — have some shame,” Marcos said, earning applause and a standing ovation at the Plenary Hall.
“Have some shame for the families whose homes were washed away or submerged in the floods. Have some shame, especially for our children, who will inherit the debt you incurred from the money you stole,” he added. Marcos tasked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to submit a list of flood-control projects in the last three years.
The President also directed the Regional Project Monitoring Committee to examine that list of projects and give a report on the projects tagged as failures, those that have been finished, and those that are alleged to be ghost projects. “We will publish this list so that citizens who have witnessed these projects can freely examine it and share what they know to help with the investigation,” Marcos said.
Marcos also ordered an audit and performance review on these projects “to check, to make sure, and to know how your money was spent.”
He warned that by next month, those who would be found guilty and colluding contractors will be held liable.
“Charges will be filed against all who are found guilty through the investigation, including the colluding contractors nationwide,” Marcos said.
“The public deserves to know the whole truth. Someone must be held accountable for the severe damage caused,” he added.
