Statement of Comelec on Investigation of Public Officials Linked To Flood Control Project Contractors
Comelec admitted they have yet to discuss the liability of public officials who got campaign donations from government contractors.
The Philippine government spending over P500-billion for the flood control projects since July 22 did not sit well with Pres. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. considering the constant flooding several areas across the nation. The Chief Executive himself tagged the expenses on government flood control deals as “enormous”.
Currently, the Department of Public and Works and Highways or DPWH is undeniably the center of controversy now amid the several issues over the flood control projects in the different provinces in the country. Truth be told that flooding is a constant problem in many areas across the nation for years now.
The recent Southwest Monsoon and tropical storms Crising, Dante, and Emong have reminded the Filipinos once again about the problems about flood in the country. In his 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 28, the President admitted that several flood control projects in the country failed.
Amid the issues about the failed flood control projects in several areas across the nation, the provinces with the most government flood control deals were determined. Here are the 20 provinces with the most flood control projects funded by the government:
- Bulacan – 668
- Cebu – 414
- Isabela – 337
- Pangasinan – 313
- Pampanga – 293
- Albay – 273
- Leyte – 262
- Tarlac – 258
- Camarines Sur – 250
- Ilocos Norte – 224
- Negros Occidental -208
- Cavite – 192
- Batangas – 189
- Misamis Oriental – 181
- Davao Del Sur – 180
- Iloilo – 168
- Rizal – 167
- Cagayan – 167
- La Union – 166
- Nueva Ecija – 163
In a press conference, Pres. Bongbong Marcos also revealed that five (5) contractors have flood control projects in almost all regions in the country. They are the Legacy Construction Corporation, the St. Timothy Construction Corporation, the Alpha & Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corp., the Road Edge Trading & Development Services, and the EGB Construction Corporation.
According to the President, the administration will investigate the contractors which secured government deals in almost all regions across the nation. He also named the 15 contractors who got 20% of the P545-billion flood control projects of the government.
- Legacy Construction Corporation
- Alpha & Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corp.
- St. Timothy Construction Corporation
- QM Builders
- EGB Construction Corporation
- Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc.
- Centerways Construction and Development Inc.
- Sunwest, Inc.
- Hi-Tone Construction & Development Corp.
- Triple 8 Construction & Supply, Inc.
- Royal Crown Monarch Construction & Supplies Corp.
- Wawao Builders
- MG Samidan Construction
- L.R. Tiqui Builders, Inc.
- Road Edge Trading & Development Services
Following the press conference of the Chief Executive, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero admitted to receiving P30-million as campaign donation from one of the flood control project contractors flagged by Marcos Jr. According to him, the owner of Centerways Construction is a long-time friend of his and is from Sorsogon, too.
However, according to the Commission on Elections, government contractors are not allowed to donate to candidates. Comelec chairperson George Garcia cited that it is prohibited by the rules that government contractors will donate or contribute to election candidates.
According to Garcia, it may lead to the cancellation of the business permit of the contractor or the owner may be sentenced to imprisonment. However, in the case of public officials who got campaign donations from the government contractors, based on a report on ABS-CBN News, Garcia admitted that they have yet to discuss the possible penalties or consequences.
The Comelec Chairman stressed that they have yet to reach the point of talking about the liabilities of the public officials with campaign donations from government contractors. Based on the report, Garcia emphasized that they are still in the process of determining how many contractors have contributed to election candidates.
“Kung mismong ‘yung binigyan na tumatakbo ay liable, hindi pa po namin ‘yan nadi-discuss, wala pa po kami sa puntong ‘yan. Kinakailangang alamin lang muna natin gaano kadami yung nangongontrata sa pamahalaan na nagbigay sa kampanya ng mga kumakandidato, national man at local,” the Comelec chairman said.