Vice Pres. Sara Duterte Speaks on Previous Claims over National Budget
SARA DUTERTE – The Vice President claimed that the Philippine government has allegedly no “big ticket projects” and took swipe at Pres. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. anew.
The Philippines is currently dealing with flood control corruption following the discovery of several ‘ghost’ and substandard flood control projects funded by the government. In Bulacan, Pres. Bongbong Marcos was left disappointed by a ‘ghost’ Riverwall project that cost P55 million. When the President arrived at the place to check on the structure, there were nothing there — not even an ongoing construction.
Based on the receipts, the said Riverwall project was already paid in full. The records also state that it was completed. In the same province, Marcos Jr. also found an incomplete and substandard flood control project. He even called out the contractor, the St. Timothy Construction, to explain.
The St. Timothy happened to be one of the 15 contractors flagged by the President for receiving around P100 billion from the total P545-billion spent by the country on flood control projects. It covered the government flood control deals from July 2022 to May 2025.
During a Senate flood probe, controversial contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya accused several government officials of allegedly receiving kickback from the flood control projects. According to the Discayas, then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co allegedly received 30% kickback on flood control deals.
Both Romualdez and Co were the ones accused by Vice Pres. Sara Duterte who allegedly control the national budget. Recently, the Vice President reiterated her previous claim over the country’s funds.
During an interview, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte claimed that no one was listening to what she was saying back then. According to her, it had to lead to Filipinos getting drowned in floodwater before “BBM”, the initials of Pres. Bongbong Marcos, reacted.
“Matagal na ako nagsasabi, ‘Yung budget, yung budget’. Walang nakikinig sa akin. Kailangan pang lumubog sa baha ‘yung mga kababayan natin bago merong nag-react na BBM ang pangalan,” she said.
Furthermore, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte claimed that Pres. Bongbong Marcos’ reaction to the national problem is allegedly not matched with what he must do. According to the Vice President, the country’s economy now is not really in a good state — contrary to what Marcos Jr. has repeatedly claimed.
“Even then, hindi pa nagtutugma ang kanyang reaction sa dapat niyang gawin. Kaya, really, truly, our economy is not in the very best weather. Ang ating political stability is down to -2, -3, even -10 siguro,” Duterte said.
During the interview, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte also expressed that the Philippine government now allegedly has no “big ticket projects”. According to her, the small projects are not the ones that is expected from the government.
“Wala kang nakikita sa gobyerno ngayon na ano big ticket projects. Hindi ‘yung mga maliliit ha na sinasabi mong 10 kilometers na daan, hindi ‘yan ang gusto nating makita sa ating pamahalaan,” she expressed.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte claimed that the Philippine government now is allegedly focusing into politics following the shakeup in the Senate and the House of Representatives. The change in leaderships in both chamber took place after several senators and congressmen including former House Speaker Martin Romualdez are accused of flood control corruption.