Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero has cautioned the public against what he called “calculated diversions” meant to absolve House Speaker Martin Romualdez from links to anomalous flood control projects, including so-called “ghost” projects.
Escudero was reacting to Deputy Speaker Ronnie Puno’s remarks that Romualdez had no direct role in budget insertions tied to the projects from 2022 to 2024. He said such claims mislead the public and undermine ongoing probes.
“Ang isyu ay ghost projects, substandard projects at mga kickback na karamihan ay nasa budget ng 2022, 2023 at 2024 at bago ang mga taong ‘yan, ayon mismo sa Commission on Audit (COA), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) at paglalahad ng whistleblowers,” he stressed.
The senator from Sorsogon pointed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s disclosure that P545 billion was allotted for flood control from July 2022 to May 2025, with P100 billion, nearly 20%, going to just 15 contractors.
Escudero urged vigilance, warning against narratives that downplay the scandal. He added that the 2025 budget is only starting implementation, with some projects put on hold per the President’s directive.IMT
