By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao on Tuesday called on the Marcos administration to immediately pursue those responsible for the alleged flood control scam, saying the public should no longer be made to wait for accountability a year after the President first vowed to prosecute the “big fish” behind the anomalies.
In a statement following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s SONA 2026, Bag-ao said the administration must translate its commitment into concrete action, stressing that justice goes beyond merely identifying personalities linked to the controversy.
“The issue is not simply naming those involved, regardless of their influence or family ties, but dismantling the system that has allowed corruption to thrive and made it easier for public funds to be misused,” she said.
Bag-ao noted that while the President renewed his pledge to hold those responsible accountable, significant institutional reforms were absent from his address.
Among these, she cited the proposed National Land Use Act, which she described as a critical measure to strengthen land-use planning, reduce opportunities for abuse in infrastructure development, and improve accountability in the implementation of government projects.
The lawmaker also urged the administration to institutionalize greater transparency through open infrastructure data and enhanced public oversight, saying citizens should have direct access to information that would enable them to monitor government projects and ensure that taxpayers’ money is spent on programs that genuinely benefit communities.
According to Bag-ao, opening government systems to greater public scrutiny would help prevent irregularities in major infrastructure projects, particularly flood control initiatives that have come under increased public attention.
She likewise renewed her call for stronger safeguards against political patronage and the concentration of power among political families, arguing that entrenched political dynasties weaken accountability and create conditions that allow corruption to persist.
Malacañang has yet to issue a response to Bag-ao’s remarks.
ia/xf
