Former Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson has sounded the alarm over what he described as the worsening “politician-controlled” state of infrastructure projects, particularly in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Speaking in a DZRH special on Saturday, Singson said congressional “insertions” in the DPWH budget have ballooned to over ₱400 billion, with flood control projects becoming the biggest source of alleged corruption.
"Tama ang sinasabi ni Senator Ping, kontroladong-kontrolado ng ngayon masyado ng mga politicians, mapacongressman, mapasenador, mapagobernor, mayor ang mga district engineers. Which is the pain point of the DPWH now,"Singson stressed.
He recalled that during the Aquino administration, strict safeguards were in place to prevent abuse. District engineers could only approve up to ₱50 million worth of projects, while anything bigger required approval from the DPWH central office.
Today, Singson said, that threshold has ballooned to ₱150 million for district engineers and ₱400 million for regional directors, effectively removing central oversight.
Singson also pointed out that in the 2025 budget process, which in the Senate hearing, the DPWH submitted a ₱900-billion National Expenditure Program (NEP) approved by the Cabinet, DBM, and President Marcos, but Congress inflated it to ₱1.1 trillion.
He said ₱250 billion was carved out and replaced with new insertions, further cutting funds for legitimate projects such as right-of-way payments.
“Walang feasibility studies, walang pinagbabasehan. Basta lumabas na lang sa GAA. Ang dali-dali niyan i-trace. Kung ako, pananagutin ko yung district engineers at yung nag-approve,” he said.
Singson urged President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to take decisive action by suspending all flood control projects and ordering a thorough review, noting that despite ballooning budgets, flooding remains a perennial problem.
He also called for the removal and possible prosecution of district engineers who allow ghost or substandard projects.
“Hindi mangyayari yan kung hindi pumayag ang district engineers. Damay mo na sila, may paper trail naman. Kasuhan na, plunder lahat yan,” he added.
"Atsaka COA, kapag hindi nag-inspection yung COA at ginood-time na lang, goodbye ka," he added.
Despite calls for him to return to public service, Singson ruled it out, citing threats to his family’s safety.
“Napakatindi ngayon ng kalaban mo, hindi mo alam kung saan manggagaling. Ang sabi ng pamilya ko, kung gusto mong magpako at maging martir, huwag mo na kaming idamay,” he said.
Earlier, Singson admitted that he had received informal offers from Malacañang to return as DPWH Secretary amid controversies over alleged “ghost” flood control projects.
However, in the interview, he stressed that “the situation is quite different” now and that he can no longer be as active as [he] was 15 years ago, indirectly confirming that he would not accept the post.
