PURGE CROCS

AN ENDEMIC BREED of crocodiles in the Philippines is on the verge of extinction amid a public clamor to fire, charge and incarcerate Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials behind the dubious infrastructure projects amounting to hundreds of billions.

In a spot report sent to reporters by the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) police regional command, a certain Abelardo Calalo was arrested for reportedly attempting to bribe a congressman over P3.1 million if only to prevent a probe into the supposed irregularities in the infrastructure projects in Batangas.

The 51-year old suspect Calalo turned out to be DPWH district engineer for the Batangas 1st Engineering Office.

BRIBING A BILLIONAIRE
Investigation showed that Calalo offered over P3 million to a billionaire congressman — Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste, for which he was arrested. The incident was video-recorded, it was learned.

The suspect is facing complaints for violating Article 212 of the Revised Penal Code (corruption of public officials) and Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).

“We should not tolerate any corruption in DPWH. We should demand projects at better quality and lower cost, and obligate contractors to correct any deficiencies immediately without additional cost to the government. Beyond this case, we will push for broader reforms to address systemic problems of DPWH,” Leviste, a neophyte congressman was quoted as saying.

DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan has yet to issue a statement as of press time

TAP ON THE WRIST
Interestingly, a “tap on the wrist” in the guise of “reassignment” is all that the DPWH under Sec. Manuel Bonoan has done so far.

In a statement, the agency announced the “reassignment” of district engineer Isabelo Baleros of the DPWH Las Piñas–Muntinlupa District Engineering Office district amid graft allegations hurled by another neophyte congressman — Las Piñas Rep. Mark Anthony Santos.

In place of Baleros is Ruel Umali.

“Under and by virtue of this order, engineer Umali is directed to perform the duties and assume the responsibilities appurtenant to the position of District Engineer,” read the memorandum order signed by Bonoan.

Santos accused Baleros of involvement in questionable transactions, including a controversial transfer of flood control funds.

Bonoan rejected calls for his resignation “if only to ensure government officials, personnel and cahoots in the private sector behind the  substandard or “ghost” flood control projects would be held accountable.”

WEAK LEADERSHIP
Corruption in the government left unchecked only goes to show weak leadership — but President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. seemed eager to prove that his administration isn’t.

To start with, Marcos took a swipe at sub-standard or non-existent flood control projects awarded by the DPWH to “favored” contractors, including companies identified with political allies from both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

During a press conference in Malacañang, the President came out with a list of 15 contractors whom he claimed cornered nearly 20 percent of the P545 billion allocation for flood control. 

With a list on his hand, Marcos went island hopping and pinned down the “ghost” flood control project in Bulacan. Citing records, the contractor has been fully paid for but with no work done. 

Aside from Bulacan, the President hinted at other provinces where with the most number of flood control projects.

BAILIWICK INCLUDED
Taking cue from data collated from the sumbongsapangulo.ph website, the top 20 provinces with the largest number of flood control projects include Bulacan with 668, Cebu with 414 and Isabela with 293, completing the top three.

Others on the list are 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), and Nueva Ecija (163).

Interestingly, the list of top provinces with the most number (and cost) of flood control projects included his bailiwick — Ilocos Norte.

Also on the roster are provinces where both the governor and congressmen are his political allies, one of which is Leyte, House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s home province.

INCARCERATE CROCS
Graft-tainted flood control projects also involved congressmen, whom the Mayors For Good Governance (MFGG) claimed have been receiving a whopping 40 percent kickbacks from every infrastructure project in their respective districts.

According to MFGG, contractors are compelled to make the most out of the 30 percent of the flood control infrastructure budget after commissions are paid to the congressmen and other “signatories.” 

MFGG said that the effort should not be limited to firing crooks behind the ghost infrastructure projects.

“Those who have stolen public funds must face the full force of the law. Once proven guilty, politicians and bureaucrats must not only be removed from office, but also prosecuted and jailed,” it added.

“We, the mayors, also demand immediate and full disclosure of all project details: the programs of work, detailed unit price analyses, bill of quantities, and feasibility studies, and most urgently—the names of contractors and politicians responsible for these multi-billion peso projects funded by our taxpayers.”