House of Representatives — Kamanggagawa Partylist Rep. Elijah “Eli” San Fernando on Wednesday hit back at President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. failure to deliver on his repeated promises that those involved in the flood control project scandal would be jailed before Christmas, saying the administration’s words have once again rung hollow.
San Fernando pointed out that despite months of hearings, investigations, and public assurances, not a single politician linked to the alleged corruption has been sent to jail.
“Nasaan na ang ipinagyayabang ng Pangulo na may makukulong ngayong Pasko? Ilang beses niyang inulit na walang ‘Merry Christmas’ ang mga sangkot sa korapsyon. Pero heto na tayo, Noche Buena na mamaya, wala pa ring pulitikong napapakulong,” San Fernando said.
San Fernando noted that despite months of Senate and House hearings, public briefings, and supposed ICI investigations into anomalous flood control projects, no high-level official has been held to account.
“Mula noong nabulgar ang mga ghost at anomalous flood control projects, puro press release lang ang naririnig natin. Papogi sa kamera, nag-aastang matapang at walang sasantuhin, pero pagdating sa resulta, wala. Habang ang taumbayan ay binabaha at naghihikahos sa hirap ng buhay, nilulunod naman tayo ng administrasyon sa mga pangako,” he added.
The lawmaker warned that accountability cannot stop at lower-level officials or private contractors alone.
“Hindi sapat na mga DPWH officials o mga contractor lang ang makulong,” San Fernando stressed. “Kung seryoso ang Pangulo, dapat kasama ang mga kongresista at senador na kasabwat sa mga proyektong ito. Hindi pwedeng tagalinis lang ang hinahabol habang ang mga utak at padrino ay ligtas.”
San Fernando said the situation is made worse by reports that while no one is being held accountable, some individuals connected to the scandal have reportedly died or managed to leave the country.
“Mas masahol pa dito, wala na ngang napapakulong, may mga namamatay pa at may mga nakakaalis ng bansa. Anong tawag doon? E di inutil,” he said.
San Fernando said the flood control scandal reflects a deeper problem in governance, where corruption is exposed but rarely punished.
“Mr. President, ngayong Pasko ang kailangan ng mga Pilipino ay pananagutan. Wag mo kaming daanin sa season’s greetings mo. Hindi papayag ang mga manggagawa at ordinaryong Pilipino na walang makulong na pulitiko dito,” he concluded.
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