Senior House Deputy Minority Leader and Caloocan City 2nd District Representative Edgar “Egay” Erice delivered a fiery privilege speech before the House of Representatives on Monday, October 6, 2025, accusing members of the 19th Congress of massive corruption and fund diversions that have caused public outrage.
In his speech, Erice likened the current state of Congress to a burning house, saying, “Mr. Speaker, dear colleagues – nasusunog po ang ating bahay! This House is on fire. At ang masakit na katotohanan: Tayo mismo ang nagsindi ng apoy na ito.” the congressman stated.
Erice said the issue of corruption can no longer be dismissed as mere political attacks. “Hindi na puwedeng sabihing gawa lang ito ng DDS, Kaliwa, Dilawan, o Pinklawan. Hindi na puwedeng isisi lang sa DPWH, sa nakaraang administrasyon, o sa mga kontratista,” he said, stressing that the problem stems from within Congress itself.
“Ang pinakamalaking korapsiyon na ito ay nagsimula sa ating sariling tahanan — sa 19th Congress.”
Erice clarified that he was not out to blame anyone personally but to appeal to the conscience of his colleagues.
“Hindi po ako narito para humusga o manisi ng sinuman. Bagkus, nais kong kumatok sa inyong mga puso at konsensya — baka naman sobra na talaga.”
In a follow-up interview on Tuesday at DZRH’s Dos Por Dos, Erice revealed that the 19th Congress diverted and inserted a total of P1.45 trillion in funds over three years — calling it the biggest in congressional history.
“Pinaliwanag ko kagabi kung gaano katindi ‘yong nangyari sa 19th Congress, sa loob ng tatlong taon 1.45 trillion pesos ‘yong diversions at insertions.”
According to Erice, these diversions took money away from agency-approved and flagship projects, transferring them to questionable allocations.
He alleged that some of these projects were being sold for profit: “Binebenta ng 30%, meron nang proponent, meron pang parang trader, pagkatapos meron pang parking fee.”
Erice emphasized that insertions and diversions are not inherently wrong, but the 19th Congress has abused the practice. “‘Yang insertions, diversions hindi naman masama ‘yan per se, kaya lang ngayon talagang inabuso,” he said.
“Dapat ‘yong mga insertions, diversions ‘yan [ay] exceptions kung kinakailangan talaga. Pero ang nangyari ‘yong diversions [at] insertions ‘yon ang naging rule sa 19th Congress.”
On another note, Erice called for genuine reforms in government, urging both lawmakers and citizens to take action before public frustration and distrust further intensify.
“‘Wag tayo dapat mawalan ng pag-asa unless na ang gusto natin ay hindi na maging demokratiko ang bansa natin kaya’y hikayatin natin na gumawa ng tunay na mga reporma at patayin ‘yong sunog.“
