Pauline Pancho

In a press conference on October 21, 2025, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go called on the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to uncover the truth behind alleged irregularities in the agency, stressing that honesty and transparency must prevail over scripted narratives.

“The Ombudsman and the DPWH [must] seek the truth, not the script, if there is any,” Go said. “Tumbukin niyo lang po ang katotohanan, maniwala kayo sa hindi, ‘pag inilihis niyo ang isyu magulo po ito… magagalit po ang Pilipino, ‘pag niloloko niyo ang ating mga kababayan sa katotohanan.”

Go reaffirmed his stand against corruption, calling for the imprisonment of those proven guilty.

“Ikulong ang mga kurakot at magnanakaw… dito lang tayo sa katotohanan, hinding-hindi kayo magkakamali ‘pag dun lang tayo sa katotohanan,” he added.

The senator urged officials of the two agencies to prioritize truth and public service over political convenience, warning that deception would only erode trust and fuel public outrage.

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The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) faced intense scrutiny during the Finance Subcommittee A briefing on Monday, October 20, 2025, as senators examined the agency’s proposed 2026 budget amid revelations of alleged “ghost” flood control projects that have eroded public trust.

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, who assumed office only in September, admitted that he was not fully knowledgeable about the details of the proposed budget submitted to Congress. The budget, he explained, was prepared in March and submitted in August, months before his appointment.

Despite this, Dizon emphasized that he ensured the directives of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. were implemented, specifically the reduction of the department’s budget through the removal of flood control–related projects.

“Nag-utos po ang ating mahal na pangulo na tanggalin ang lahat ng locally funded na flood control [projects] for 2026,” Dizon said. 

Under the National Expenditure Program (NEP), the DPWH was originally allocated ₱881.31 billion. However, the President ordered a reduction of ₱255.53 billion, bringing the agency’s proposed budget down to ₱625.78 billion. 

Dizon said that with the assistance of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the DPWH thoroughly reviewed its project listings and removed duplicate and completed projects with unspent balances, overlapping road sections, as well as minor projects like rock netting, cat’s eyes, and studs.

“We tried our best na magkaroon ng tamang rationalization ng mga proyekto,” Dizon stated. “At ‘yung mga proyekto po na talagang mai-implement ng tama, honestly and efficiently.”

Senators raised long-standing concerns over arbitrary budget allocations, particularly favoring politically connected districts, and the persistent issue of “parking” funds. The committee stressed the need for transparency, equitable distribution, and long-term planning in infrastructure investments.

Senator Loren Legarda encouraged Secretary Dizon to carefully review the allocation of funds per district to ensure fair and needs-based budgeting.

“Again, without imputing any motives, sir [Dizon]… dapat baguhin natin ‘yung sistema na ‘kung sino po ang malapit sa kusina, siya po ang malaki,’” Legarda remarked. “I think it should be based on population, on the needs of the people, and on the challenges on the ground—kung bundok ba siya… population, land area, and configuration.”

The hearing underscored the administration’s effort to promote fiscal discipline and integrity in government spending, as the DPWH faces the challenge of restoring public confidence while ensuring that every infrastructure project is justified, efficient, and corruption-free.

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Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Monday, October 6, 2025 denied allegations that Senator Panfilo Lacson’s resignation as chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee was intended to prevent destabilizing the Senate’s leadership.

In a press briefing, Sotto clarified that there is no basis to claims of an “ongoing coup” within the chamber supposedly fueled by dissatisfaction with his leadership.

“Everybody is entitled to his own opinion… but as far as I’m concerned, the Senate is stable, both majority and minority,” he said.

Sotto further stressed he was unaware where such rumors originated, noting that he personally spoke with Senator Allan, who also denied involvement in any alleged plot.

“Wala naman akong kinakausap kahit sino eh,” Senator Allan told Sotto, dismissing speculations of backroom talks.

The Senate leader reiterated that both the majority and minority blocs remain steady, downplaying reports of internal conflict.

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Senator Chiz Escudero delivered a fiery privilege speech at the Senate Plenary Session on Monday, September 29, 2025, directly accusing former House Speaker Martin Romualdez of orchestrating a "scripted diversion" to shift public anger away from congressmen who are allegedly involved in anomalous flood control projects.

“Sa mga nakaraang linggo, malinaw na nililihis ang galit ng taong bayan tungkol sa mga ghost at substandard flood control projects mula sa mga totoong may kasalanan patungo sa Senado at sa mga miyembro nito,” Escudero stated, pointing out what he described as an orchestrated effort to use senators as scapegoats.

Escudero claimed that senators were being unfairly targeted through baseless allegations, as resource persons continuously drop their names in hearings despite having no direct involvement or interaction with them.

“Tila ginagawang panakip-butas, fall guy, at dibersyon ang mga senador palayo sa Kamara at sa mga tunay na may sala. Klarong-klaro po ang script nito," he said. “Ipitin ang dating tatlong DPWH officials, pakantahin sila, ‘mema’ — mema-banggit lang ng senador habang pinagtatakpan ang mga congressman na tunay na kasabwat nila sa mga lugar na ginagalawan nila.”

The senator did not mince words when he named House Speaker Martin Romualdez as the alleged architect of the supposed narrative.

“Iisang tao lang ang nasa likod ng script at sarswelang ito… Martin Romualdez,” Escudero declared.

He further cited testimonies from Senate hearings involving the Discaya couple and Zaldy Co’s ex-security Orly Guteza, who allegedly claimed he delivered suitcases of cash to Romualdez. Escudero emphasized that these allegations have been part of the official record of Senate proceedings.

The senator also quoted the statement of former ICI special adviser Benjamin Magalong in one of his interviews, mentioning the name of the former Speaker, “Lalabanan ko ba ang mga ang lalakas na ‘yan? Sila Speaker [Martin Romualdez]? Lalabanan ko ba ‘yung mga mayayaman na ‘yan kung ako’y bulok?”

Escudero's speech is expected to intensify the ongoing friction between the Senate and Congress amid investigations into alleged corruption in public infrastructure spending

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Former Philippine Marine Orly Regala Guteza, who claimed to have served as a security aide to Congressman Zaldy Co, recounted before the committee his experiences as he personally took part in transporting several suitcases from the residence of Cong. Zaldy Co to the house of Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

Under Senator Erwin Tulfo’s probing, Guteza recounted a series of unusual deliveries he allegedly carried out for the Zaldy Co in December of last year.

Tulfo: “Nakailang deliver po kayo sa bahay ni Cong. Romualdez mula sa bahay ni Zaldy Co?”
Guteza: “Tatlong beses po.”

Pressed for details, Guteza said the first trip involved 35 suitcases, the second around 12 to 13, and the third about 15. He added that they used three vehicles belonging to Rep. Co for these transfers.

Guteza further alleged that each suitcase weighed approximately 50 kilograms and carried a Post-it note indicating that it contained ₱48 million in cash.

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