MANILA – Malacañang is urging the public to closely monitor the bicameral conference committee (bicam) deliberations on the proposed 2026 national budget amid mounting concerns over questionable flood control project allocations that may have evaded proper vetting.
Presidential Communications Office’s Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed that some projects in the proposed budget—especially under flood mitigation—are currently under investigation due to potential irregularities and lack of documentation.
“Ngayon, hindi pa natin masasabi in details kung sino at kung anong proyekto ito, mas maganda po kasi kung mag-uulat kami ng verified,” Castro said in a press briefing.
“Mahirap po kasing magsabi at sabihin kong malamang itong lugar na ito, nakita ng Pangulo, sira ito at isipin niya na nagkaroon dito ng anomalya. So, bubuuin muna po ang karampatang pag-iimbestiga rito, para po ang maiiulat namin sa bayan ay iyong verified facts,” she added.
She appealed to the public to be extra watchful of the bicam process, saying collective vigilance is crucial to preventing a repeat of such questionable budget insertions.
“Kaya po sa tulong po ng taumbayan, sa tulong po ninyong lahat, bantayan po natin itong gagawing bicam conference pagdating sa 2026 budget. At ayaw pong maulit ng Pangulo itong nangyaring ganyan,” Castro said.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier lamented in his fourth State of the Nation Address the misuse of funds, particularly those funneled into flood control projects, and vowed to hold erring officials accountable.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has since admitted deficiencies in monitoring such projects — especially those inserted by lawmakers without undergoing technical evaluation.
DPWH Secretary Manuel “Manny” Bonoan acknowledged that the agency was unaware of some of the projects until they appeared in the final version of the General Appropriations Act./PN
