Caloocan Representative Edgar “Egay” Erice believes that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) was aware of the anomalies within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), urging the agency to appoint a new secretary as part of major reforms.

In an exclusive interview in DZRH's Special on Saturday, Erice pointed out that from 2023, P300 billion went missing. This was followed by P500 billion in 2024, and P400 billion in 2025.

Despite these massive losses, no action was taken. It was only this year, when the issue became controversial, that the budget was reduced by P29 billion, in pursuant to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive, while the majority of the funds remained untouched.

“Alam ng DBM lahat ‘yan. Naniniwala ako,” he said firmly. He added that the DBM was either very negligent or highly incompetent for allowing it to happen.

Erice stated that he believed that the analysts at the DBM are competent and aware of the issues. The problem, he said, is simple: they might assume that all the power lies with the 19th Congress, particularly with former Congressman Zaldy Co, the chairman of the Committee on Appropriations.

They may also believe that because Co is protected by-then House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, every decision made there has the approval of Malacañang, especially with the Presidential son and Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos, also in the House of Representatives.

“So ibig sabihin, baka ang iniisip ng mga secretaries, alam ng Pangulo yung ginagawa na ito, pinapayagan ito ng Pangulo, at pinayagan din ito ni Senate President Chiz [Escudero], kasama siya ni Zaldy Co, na sila yung nag-usap tungkol dito,” he concluded, referring to the apparent coordination and approval among higher officials regarding the issue.

When asked whether the President is unaware of the dealings between the House and the DPWH, as well as the DBM’s awareness of the issue, Erice answered, “Pwede. Gaya nga ng sinabi ko, baka ang iniisip nila kung ano yung desisyon, very powerful si Speaker Romualdez, tapos may concurrence ng Senate President, very powerful si Zaldy Co, so baka iniisip nila may concurrence ang Presidente.”

“Kung ikaw ang Pangulo, anong dapat mong gawin ngayon?” the DZRH host Cesar Chavez asked, to which Erice responded, “Edi palitan ko yung DBM.”

The congressman believes that the major reforms may slowly fix the issue, to which one of them is replacing the DBM secretary.