“Pinagkakitaan ang pagbaha? Hold them responsible for this mess!” — Sen. Go calls for accountability for anomalous projects that wasted billions while Filipinos suffer
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Vice Chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, delivered a fiery message condemning anomalous infrastructure projects, stressing that all those responsible—from contractors to legislators—must be investigated and held accountable.
“Pinagkakitaan ang pagbaha? Hold them responsible for this mess!” Go declared, as he called out ghost projects, subpar infrastructures, and questionable allocations for flood control that have profitted a few and failed to protect the Filipino people.
“As Vice Chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee, let us hold accountable all who are responsible for this mess caused by these flood control anomalies, ghost projects, and subpar infrastructures. Filipinos deserve better! From the contractors, implementers, proponents and even legislators, we must investigate and leave no stone unturned. Ipatawag ang dapat ipatawag, gisahin ang dapat gisahin, managot ang dapat managot!”
The senator emphasized that no one should be spared in the ongoing probe. “Kapamilya man, kaibigan, o namedropper, wala tayo dapat santuhin lalo na ‘yung mga nagpayaman sa mga proyektong hindi ipinatupad nang maayos at naglagay sa kapahamakan sa buhay at kalusugan ng taumbayan,” he insisted.
Go described the situation as a grave insult to Filipinos, pointing out how revelations of massive irregularities coincided with devastating floods nationwide. “Isang malaking insulto sa sambayanang Pilipino na habang nabubunyag ang bilyon-bilyong pisong anomalya sa flood control, heto't lubog na naman sa baha ang maraming bahagi ng bansa pati mga ospital at gusaling dapat maging takbuhan ng mga nangangailangan.”
He lamented how public funds meant for life-saving infrastructure ended up lining the pockets of a few. “Nakakalungkot na ang pondo ng bayan na inilagay sa inaakala nating ‘flood control’, posibleng napunta lamang pala sa kamay ng iilang nagpayaman at nagpabusog habang ang mga kababayan natin ay naghihirap at nagugutom.”
Turning to those implicated, Go issued a sharp rebuke. “Sa mga involved sa anomalyang ito, makonsensya naman kayo! Nilapastangan niyo na nga ang kaban ng bayan, nilagay niyo pa sa peligro ang taumbayan. Nasaan ang simpatya ninyo sa mga ordinaryong Pilipino na mandato ninyong pagserbisyuhan?”
As early as August 2023, during a Senate Committee on Public Works hearing, he had already flagged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“For the record, as early as August 2023 during a Senate Hearing of the Committee on Public Works, I already called out DPWH to provide a flood control master plan, present their accomplishments that truly benefitted the people, and explain their prioritization since I have personally discovered flood control projects situated in areas with little to no human population. Sino pinoprotektahan ng mga flood control na ito? Halos walang tao naman. O sadyang itinago ba para hindi mapansin ang korapsyon na kanilang ginagawa?”
The senator emphasized that his stance has always been clear and consistent against corruption and abuse.
“Mula noon hanggang ngayon, galit tayo sa korap at mapang-abuso. Dapat lang na panagutin natin ang may sala para matigil na ang ganitong nakakasukang kalakaran sa gobyerno. At dahil in aid of legislation ang probe na ito, maglagay rin dapat tayo ng sapat na safeguards para ang flood control projects ay tunay na makakatulong sa lahat at hindi lang pagkakakitaan ng iilan.”
He further warned of drastic action if accountability is not pursued and lessons must be learned in allocating public funds for better use.
“Dahil kung walang mananagot dito, mapipilitan tayong isulong na tanggalin na lang ang budget sa flood control projects sa susunod na taon kaysa masayang sa korapsyon o ghost project” he said.
“Nakakapanlumo na 1/3 lang ng budget ng DPWH ang katumbas na budget para sa DOH. Kaya kung maaari, gamitin na lang sana ito sa mga programa’t proyekto na direktang makakatulong sa tao lalo na pagdating sa pangangalaga ng kanilang buhay at kalusugan,” Go added.
Go then echoed the public’s exhaustion with dirty politics and corruption. “Pagod na pagod, binging bingi, at sukang suka na ang taumbayan sa pulitika at siraan. Ngunit kailangang lumabas ang katotohanan para matigil na ang lahat ng kalokohang ito. I am one with the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and I am one with the Filipino people in calling for accountability.”
The senator has also co-authored Senate Bill No. 783, which disqualifies relatives of public officials within the fourth degree of consanguinity and affinity from entering into all government contracts. Filed by Senate President Francis Escudero, the measure is framed as an anti-conflict-of-interest reform and builds on the newly enacted Republic Act No. 12009, or the New Government Procurement Act.