
Senator Panfilo Lacson has praised President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s firm stance against corruption in flood control projects and the national budget, highlighted in the President’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
“My favorite quote from the President’s 4th State of the Nation Address: ‘MAHIYA NAMAN KAYO!’. I clapped the loudest and the longest when he mentioned about 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,” said Lacson.
He also welcomed Marcos Jr.’s warning to return the 2026 budget bill if it doesn’t align with the National Expenditure Program. “That would make my scrutiny of the General Appropriations Bill easier with less insertions and realignments.”
The senator had earlier questioned why flooding persists despite nearly P2 trillion allocated for flood control since 2011. He estimated that half of that, particularly under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), may have been lost to corruption.
In his SONA, the Chief Executive said inspections after recent storms revealed failed or ghost flood projects, likely due to kickbacks. He vowed to publish a full list of projects from the past three years, have them reviewed by regional monitoring committees, and hold responsible contractors accountable.
On the budget, Marcos Jr. warned he would reject any version of the 2026 General Appropriations Bill not fully aligned with his administration’s spending plan, even if it means operating under a reenacted budget. IMT