Senators, Reps Tied to Flood Project Firms
Several lawmakers in the Philippines are under scrutiny after an investigation revealed their connections to government contractors handling major infrastructure projects, including flood control programs.
The findings came from the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) and were reviewed by GMA Integrated News Research. Among those named were Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Senators Joel Villanueva and Christopher “Bong” Go.
Escudero admitted that businessman Lawrence Lubiano, head of Centerways Construction and Development Inc., donated ₱30 million to his 2022 Senate campaign. Lubiano’s company is one of 15 firms identified by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as cornering 20% of flood control contracts. Escudero denied influencing any government deals, while Lubiano claimed the donation was personal and not from company funds.
Villanueva also declared a ₱20 million campaign donation from New San Jose Builders Inc. He denied involvement in flood control projects and said he had previously exposed irregularities in the program. However, PCIJ reported that the company held a government contract at the time of the donation, contradicting Villanueva’s statement.
Senator Go was linked to his family’s companies, CLTG Builders and Alfrego Builders. While Go claimed he has no role in these businesses, records show that Alfrego Builders had five government projects worth over ₱327 million. CLTG Builders, meanwhile, had no listed flood control projects.
The report also highlighted 15 congressmen tied to contractors. Former House Appropriations Committee Chair Rep. Zaldy Co co-founded Sunwest Construction and Development Corporation, one of the firms identified by Marcos. Co said he had already divested from the company, but his siblings remain connected to other contractors.
Other lawmakers were directly involved in construction firms or related to top company officials. These include Reps. Ferdinand Beltran, Jernie Jett Nisay, Carlos Loria, Michaela Gonzales, and members of the Revilla family.
Former UP professor Maria Fe Mendoza stressed the need for a thorough investigation, revealing that 20% of the national budget may be lost to bribery and corruption. She warned that misused funds lead to substandard materials and poor-quality projects. Mendoza also emphasized the importance of accountability, saying reports of corruption must lead to real consequences, not just complaints.