Lacson: Only 40% of flood funds implemented due to corruption

Senator Panfilo Lacson revealed on Wednesday that only 40% of flood control funds are actually implemented, with the rest lost to kickbacks and corruption.

Lacson cited a pattern where P100 million allocated for a project might end up having only P82 million left after legal deductions, further reduced by bribes and commissions, leaving as little as 40% or P40 million of the original budget.

In his privilege speech, Lacson specifically highlighted defective flood control projects in Naujan town, Oriental Mindoro, which received PHP10 billion in funding for 2025, about 55% of the province's allocation.

Residents of Naujan have long struggled with floods, and despite substantial funding, substandard projects and ghost projects were found by Lacson’s staff during inspections.

Lacson questioned the use of unprogrammed appropriations to fund these projects and called for accountability from DPWH insiders, contractors, and lawmakers like Deputy Majority Leader Arnan Panaligan who may be involved in corrupt practices.

Panaligan denied Lacson's accusations later on Wednesday, asserting that Congress did not play a role in identifying or listing flood control projects, which he said were already listed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).