Ex-solon slams lawmakers over misused flood funds

By Paulo DS Papa

FORMER Camarines Sur 3rd District congressman and ex-city mayor of Naga, Sulpicio “Cho” S. Roco Jr. expressed his distress over the controversial ghost flood control projects.

To recall, Senator Panfilo Lacson recently delivered a privilege speech revealing anomalies in these projects. The senator called for “greed control” and accountability from lawmakers who sponsored questionable initiatives — a topic that has also been widely discussed in local media.

Senator Miguel Zubiri, on the other hand, urged Lacson to continue his Senate speech in the next hearing to expose more about the ghost flood control projects. He claimed there are numerous irregularities in such projects across the Bicol Region, especially in the province of Albay.

In an interview, Roco said he felt anger and sadness as mainstream media reported on the projects — reports that Secretary Manuel Bonoan of the Department of Public Works and Highways has acknowledged.

He emphasized that some lawmakers misuse their budgets and enrich themselves through funds allocated for infrastructure projects.

He added that Senator Lacson was right in calling for “greed control.”

Roco revealed that during his time as a congressman, he used the full budget allotted for building public infrastructure, including the P100-million Mabolo Bypass Bridge, which has remained durable and accessible for decades.

He shared that the budget was granted to his office by former President Joseph Estrada through the late Senator Raul Roco.

He concluded that well-funded infrastructure projects can benefit the public for generations.