fran

The ₱35-Billion Flood Control Scam: What Could Have Been By Dr. Tony Leachon How much is enough? The revelations at today’s Senate hearing are not just disturbing—they are devastating. If true, the alleged diversion of ₱35 billion across 426 flood control projects is not merely a financial crime. It is a moral collapse. It is the theft of safety, dignity, and hope from millions of Filipinos who endure floods, poverty, and illness without protection. When public office becomes a marketplace for kickbacks, and flood control becomes a cover for personal gain, we must ask: what kind of governance have we allowed to flourish? The denial of wrongdoing is expected. But the testimony of a former DPWH official, the photographic evidence, and the pattern of budget manipulation demand more than silence. They demand truth. They demand justice. This is not an isolated case. It is part of a larger architecture of corruption—one that includes congressional insertions, unprogrammed appropriations, and the weaponization of public funds through patronage schemes like MAIFIP. The original sin lies in the design: a system that rewards loyalty over legality, and power over principle. We call on the Senate to pursue this investigation with courage and clarity. We call on the justice system to act swiftly and impartially. And we call on every citizen to remain vigilant. Because this is not just about one man—it is about the soul of our democracy. ₱35 billion is more than half of the ₱60 billion PhilHealth funds recently returned by President Marcos. With that amount, we could have: • Built over 100 fully equipped district hospitals across underserved provinces • Provided dialysis treatment for nearly 1 million patients for an entire year • Constructed 10,000 classrooms to ease overcrowding in public schools • Funded thousands of scholarships for future doctors, nurses, and engineers • Strengthened disaster preparedness in flood-prone communities that remain vulnerable today Instead, we are left with questions, photographs, and heartbreak. Taxpayers deserve transparency. The poor deserve protection. And the law must serve the people—not those who evade it. Let this be a turning point. Let this be the moment we say: enough.