MANILA – The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) decried revelations at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on massive kickbacks, ghost projects, and “midnight insertions” in flood-control and infrastructure funds in Bulacan, warning that corruption has worsened flooding and destroyed farmers’ livelihoods.

During the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, Bulacan First District Engineer Henry Alcantara exposed large-scale anomalies in flood control projects, revealing a systematic 20 to 30 percent kickback scheme for lawmakers and officials in exchange for project approval. He cited P35 billion ($595 million) worth of budget insertions since 2022, with 20 percent allegedly funneled to Rep. Zaldy Co. Alcantara also named Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Sen. Joel Villanueva, former Sen. Bong Revilla, former Rep. Mitch Cajayon, Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, and Commission on Audit Commissioner Mario Lipana as part of the scheme. He said much of the funds intended for flood control were pocketed as “commissions” instead of being used for actual infrastructure.

The Commission on Audit (COA) flagged nearly P390 million ($6.63 million) in “ghost” flood control projects in Bulacan and endorsed cases to the Ombudsman. Among these were a P92.6 million ($1.57 million) Angat River structure reported finished but still incomplete, a P98.9 million ($1.68 million) Pandi project with mismatched plans, and two Bocaue River slope protections that already existed before work began. Ex-DPWH officials Henry Alcantara and Brice Hernandez, along with contractors, face possible graft, malversation, and procurement violations.

“Bulacan residents and farmers have long endured repeated flooding and useless, failed projects. Now, Alcantara has only confirmed what we have been saying all along — that corrupt politicians and officials have plundered billions in funds. This proves they never intended to solve the flooding or protect the harvests and livelihoods of farmers,” Danilo Ramos, KMP chairperson, said in a statement.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) reported P565.05 million ($9.61 million) in initial agricultural losses from Tropical Depression Mirasol and Super Typhoon Nando, affecting 17,061 farmers and 16,120 hectares of farmland. The rice sector took the heaviest hit, with 44,020 metric tons  lost worth P440.75 million ($7.49 million), mostly during the reproductive and maturity stages of palay. Other losses included P67.33 million ($1.14 million) in high-value crops, P53.02 million ($901,000) in corn, and minor damages to livestock, irrigation, and farm equipment. The DA assured aid, with seeds, fingerlings, and loan programs prepositioned for affected farmers.

Alcantara further linked senators and lawmakers to the massive kickback scheme in flood control projects. He revealed before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that billions in public funds were diverted through budget insertions and commissions. According to Alcantara, Villanueva allegedly pocketed some P600 million ($10.2 million) in kickbacks from projects in Bulacan, while senators Estrada and Revilla, along with Co, were also named as recipients of hundreds of millions through the systematic 20 to 30 percent “commission” scheme. Reports corroborated Alcantara’s testimony, noting that portions of the funds meant for infrastructure ended up in lawmakers’ pockets, with some projects in Bulacan either left unfinished, built with substandard materials, or never constructed at all.

“Those involved must be removed from their positions, charged with graft, corruption, and plunder, and brought to justice. They have no concern for the struggling farmers. While floods swallow rice fields and livelihoods, these corrupt politicians gorge themselves on stolen wealth. They must be held accountable, prosecuted, and jailed. Such blatant plunder should no longer be tolerated,” Ramos stressed.

Meanwhile, the Nagkakaisang Magbubukid ng Malolos (NMM) and Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Bulacan (AMB) confirmed that several barangays and farms in Bulacan were directly affected by these projects. They said recurring floods in rice fields and communities are caused by so-called “ghost projects” that served only as a source of profit for a few.

“It’s not only the people’s money that was stolen, but also our livelihood and future. True justice must be delivered to the farmers of Bulacan,” read the joint statement of NMM and AMB.

The KMP vowed to stay in close coordination with farmers’ communities in Bulacan and other provinces, ensuring that the investigation is closely monitored while pushing for justice for those affected by government corruption and negligence. (AMU, RTS)

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