Pauline Pancho

During the continuation of the  joint hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee with the Committees on Civil Service, Government Reorganization, and Professional Regulation, senators raised urgent concerns about the safety of government infrastructure after revelations on the prevalence of “substandard” projects in flood control programs.

Former DPWH Bulacan Assistant District Engineer Brice Hernandez admitted that some flood control projects fall below expected standards. He defined substandard as “mas mababa [ang quality] at mas mura,” describing it as cheaper projects with compromised quality. 

Hernandez also revealed troubling budget constraints. In some flood control initiatives, only about 30% of the allocated funds are actually spent on construction. For buildings, he estimated that only 50% of the intended construction budget remains after deducting other expenses.

This disclosure alarmed Sen. Erwin Tulfo, who pressed Hernandez on the implications for public safety. He questioned the structural integrity of government buildings, especially schools and hospitals, that were to face natural disasters.

“So, ibig mong sabihin… kapag nagkaroon ng earthquake, how safe are we in government infrastructures now, lalo na yung mga gawa niyo sa Bulacan?” Tulfo asked, painting a grim scenario of children and patients dying in collapsing facilities during earthquakes of intensity 5 or 6.

Hernandez responded by clarifying that engineers still follow the official plans designed by agencies. However, he admitted that alterations in bidding programs have led to bloated budgets and diminished resources for actual construction. 

Hernandez responded by clarifying that they are following the plan designed by the agencies. They are not revising the plan, but rather they are changing the program that they use in bidding to make the budget bigger for all other expenses. 

When pressed again by Tulfo about the safety of the buildings, Hernandez cautiously replied, “Hindi naman po sana, your honor.”

‍

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon assured senators that the resignation of former Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral will not derail ongoing investigations into alleged anomalies within the agency during the joint Blue Ribbon Committee and Civil Service panel hearing on September 18, 2025. 

Senator Rodante Marcoleta sought to question former DPWH Usec. Maria Cabral regarding the text message she previously sent to Senate President Vicente Sotto, but Cabral was noticeably absent despite being invited.

Dizon confirmed that Cabral had formally stepped down just days before the hearing.

“I officially accepted the courtesy resignation of Undersecretary Cabral two nights ago,” he stated.

Senator Marcoleta stated that Cabral’s resignation would not exempt her from answering questions before the Senate. 

Sec. Dizon echoed similar sentiments, stressing that her departure would not affect the agency’s commitment to accountability. 

“We have also made public that while former Undersecretary Maria Cabral is no longer with the DPWH, we have been very clear in the new leadership of the DPWH, that this does not in any way stop us from continuing our internal investigations on finding out who should be liable for the clear crimes that have been committed against our people. So we will continue that investigation regardless of whether she or any others will no longer be part of the DPWH,” Dizon emphasized.

The panel later agreed to issue a subpoena compelling her appearance in the next hearing.

‍

Senator Rodante Marcoleta, in a press briefing on Monday, September 15, 2025, addressed allegations linking him to the controversial Discaya couple in the ongoing Flood Control Project investigation. 

Marcoleta clarified that it was not his initiative to have the Discayas apply for witness protection, but rather, the couple voluntarily sought it themselves. As then-chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, he said his role was limited to ensuring compliance with the law.

He cited Republic Act 6981 or the Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act, specifically Section 3 and Section 10, which outline the requirements for admission into the state’s witness protection program.

“Unang-una po, nasa pagiimbestiga palang tayo, kanino kukukunin at papano idi-determine ang halaga na ibabalik ng mga Discaya kung sakasakali…” Marcoleta explained, stressing that determining restitution is not part of the legal criteria for witness protection.

Marcoleta added that the Discayas claim to possess important documents and ledgers critical to the investigation, which justifies their need for state protection.

Responding to accusations that he was rushing the process, the senator defended his actions, saying, “Kapag hiningi nila with their consent sapagka’t nanganganib ang buhay nila. Hindi ka ba magmamadali? Ilalagay ko po ba sa kamay ko ang kaligtasan ng mag-asawa na ‘yun.”

Marcoleta also underscored that the decision on the credibility of the Discayas’ sworn statements does not rest with him.

“It is not for me to render judgment dun sa kaniyang [Discaya] sworn statement… Wala po kaming karapatang husgahan ang sworn statement ng isang taong gustong magpahayag sa kanilang saloobin na may kinalaman sa pagiimbestiga nito,” Marcoleta said.

The senator reiterated that his actions were guided by RA 6981 and his responsibility as Blue Ribbon Committee chair at the time. He maintained that protecting potential state witnesses, especially when their lives are at risk, is part of due process.

‍

Senators questioned Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral after a text message she allegedly sent was presented as evidence in the ongoing investigation into Flood control project irregularities.

Senator Rodante Marcoleta thanked Senator Panfilo Lacson for conducting his own investigation and bringing forward the message.

The text, addressed to a staff member of Senate President Vicente Sotto, read:

“Sir baka may priority po kayo 500 for now para mavet ko po for redundancy, overlap, prior funding, correct location and alignment to national priorities and consistency with menu for local projects po. I can send the menu po if local projects to double check that no row requests, tamang location or at least may alignment study naman. Para masama ko po sa NEP sir.”

Senator Lacson argued that the message itself reflects a flaw in the budget process. “Ito ang sinasabi natin na isang kamalian ng budget process. Ang mandato ng Kongreso at Houses ay legislation. Ang NEP ay nasa budget preparation phase na kung saan exclusive domain ng executive branch,” he said. He questioned why a DPWH official appeared to be inviting legislators to submit projects, stressing: 'Hindi ba pakikialam na yun sa mandate or exclusive authority ng executive branch?”

Marcoleta believes that Cabral may have made the offer believing it would please the senators.

During the previous hearing, Cabral denied altering budget ceilings set by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). But Marcoleta pressed her, asking: “Bakit lumilitaw kahit anong ibigay na ceiling ng DBM, pinapalitan mo?”

With the emergence of the text message, Marcoleta said, the allegations against her have only grown stronger. He pointed to flood control projects as examples of insertions that, whether admitted or not, fell under her responsibility as Undersecretary for Planning Services.

‍

The Senate elected Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III as its new president after Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero stepped down from the chamber’s top post. Sotto was nominated by Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Loren Legarda, with no other nominees presented.

“I held no grudges, I held no ill feelings. I congratulate Senator Tito Sotto III on his election as Senate President,” Escudero said in his speech.

In his acceptance speech, Sotto reiterated a message from his earlier leadership term, stressing that he views his role not as superior but as a facilitator of the Senate’s work.

Escudero presided over the session and formally declared Sotto’s election. In his remarks, he extended his congratulations and assured continued support for the Senate as a member of the chamber.” Sotto said.

He also assured that under his leadership, the Senate will remain cooperative but independent, balanced, transparent, and sincere.

Following Sotto’s election, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson was chosen as Senate President Pro Tempore, while Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri was elected Majority Leader.

Senator Allan Peter Cayetano confirmed that he would remain in the minority bloc. Former majority leader Senator Joel Villanueva also joined the minority.