RESPONSE TO THE PHILIPPINE STAR COLUMN: Legacion disproves column allegations

By Jason B. Neola

MAYOR Nelson Legacion has issued a strongly worded rebuttal to a column by Alex Magno published in The Philippine Star. The city mayor described the article as “false, misleading, and intellectually dishonest,” alleging that it lacked factual basis and was designed to provoke outrage.

In his statement, Legacion addressed Magno’s claims point by point, particularly the allegations of misappropriation by the city government in relation to the recent severe flooding caused by Typhoon Kristine on October 22-23, 2024.

Legacion highlighted that Typhoon Kristine brought unprecedented rainfall to Naga City, exceeding the devastation caused by Typhoon Ondoy in 2009. One of the city’s rainfall sensors recorded 760.7 mm of rain within 24 hours, far surpassing Ondoy’s record of 454.9 mm.

According to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region V, Kristine was a 200-year return period flooding event, making its scale virtually impossible to mitigate with current measures.

“The sheer volume of rain swamped the city, overwhelming flood protection systems that had functioned well during previous storms like Typhoon Enteng in September 2024,” Legacion said. He emphasized that localized solutions would be insufficient and called for regional flood management strategies.

Misrepresentation of facts

The mayor also refuted Magno’s assertion that 380,000 individuals in Naga were displaced by the typhoon, pointing out that the city’s population is only 209,170 as of the 2020 census.

Legacion also clarified that most of the P132 billion in flood control funding allocated to the Bicol region since 2018 was managed by the DPWH, not the city government. Of this, Naga received only P455 million in 2024, just 1.4% of the regional total.

Legacion categorically denied allegations of fund misappropriation, stating that all appropriations were approved by the City Council and adhered to Commission on Audit (COA) standards. He pointed to the city’s 97.6% utilization rate of its Local Development Fund in 2023 as evidence of efficient governance.

“The city government takes COA’s observations seriously, using them as opportunities for improvement. There is no basis for Magno’s insinuations,” he said.

Responding to claims about the Balatas Evacuation Center and JMR Coliseum, Legacion clarified that any reported defects were promptly rectified by contractors. He also noted that the Balatas center accommodated 259 families during the typhoon, contradicting claims it could only house 80.

Pattern of misleading columns

Mayor Legacion also criticized Magno’s history of making misleading and unfounded claims in his columns. He cited numerous rejoinders to Magno’s pieces over the years, including responses from notable figures such as the late Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, former Malacañang spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, former Taguig Mayor Sigfrido Tinga, former Spanish Ambassador Luis Arias-Romero, and former Agriculture Secretary William Dar.

Legacion referenced a previous rebuttal by Representative Gabriel H. Bordado, Jr., of Camarines Sur’s 3rd District, who wrote in response to a 2022 column by Magno:

“It cannot be overemphasized that we live in an era which facilitates easy sharing of information. When important actors spread misinformation, either deliberately or unwittingly, it becomes difficult for the public to distinguish between what is true and what is made up. Consequently, it makes the truth hard to find, especially when fake news are made to look like real news. With that in mind, responsible journalism dictates to seek only the truth and report it.”

Legacion reiterated Bordado’s sentiments, urging Magno to uphold journalistic standards by verifying information and presenting accurate facts to the public.

“Responsible journalism demands truth and accountability,” Legacion concluded, calling Magno’s piece a “political hit job” rather than a credible critique.