Senator Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson lauded President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s resolute position against corruption in government, specifically citing the President’s remarks on flood control projects and the upcoming 2026 national budget during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Senator Lacson highlighted the President’s powerful statement regarding those involved in corrupt flood control projects, quoting, “MAHIYA NAMAN KAYO!” (You should be ashamed!). “I clapped the loudest and the longest when he mentioned the graft-ridden flood control projects, even calling for an accounting of the same while holding accountable those responsible, whether government officials or private contractors,” Lacson stated.
The Senator also expressed strong approval for President Marcos Jr.’s commitment to return any 2026 budget bill from Congress that does not align with the National Expenditure Program. “I clapped even louder when the President announced that he would return the 2026 budget bill passed by Congress, not aligned with the National Expenditure Program. That would make my scrutiny of the General Appropriations Bill easier with fewer insertions and realignments,” Lacson added.
Senator Lacson has been a vocal critic of the persistent issues surrounding flood control allocations. He recently questioned the continued rise in floodwaters despite nearly P2 trillion allocated to flood management programs since 2011. He further estimated that up to half of the almost P2 trillion in flood control allocations to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) alone may have been lost to corruption.
President Marcos Jr., during his SONA, acknowledged the widespread failures and “ghost projects” in flood control, attributing them to kickbacks and corruption. He directly addressed those responsible, saying, in Filipino, “To those who connived to steal public funds and rob our people of their future, you should be ashamed, for the houses destroyed by floods and for the younger generations that will inherit debts for the projects whose funds you pocketed.”
To combat this, the President announced concrete measures, including the comprehensive listing of all flood control projects from the past three years. This list will undergo examination by a regional project monitoring committee, which will report on failed, unfinished, and alleged “ghost projects.” The President affirmed that this list would be publicly published, and responsible contractors would face charges.
Regarding the 2026 budget, President Marcos Jr. underscored his determination to ensure fiscal integrity, stating he would return any proposed General Appropriations Bill not fully aligned with the National Expenditure Program, “even if we end up with a reenacted budget.”
Senator Lacson, known for his consistent stance against “pork barrel” allocations, reaffirmed his commitment to actively scrutinize the budget, even as a member of the minority or conscience bloc.
