* Hits contractors in ghost flood control projects with luxury carsThe anguish of ordinary Filipinos left to watch their only possessions sink in floodwaters became a central point of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s intervention during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Monday, September 1.
To drive the point home, the senator cited a viral video that captured public attention online. The footage showed a man stepping out of his car as it was swallowed by rising floodwaters, a stark image of helplessness that resonated with millions.
For Go, the clip symbolized the human cost of failed or poorly implemented flood control projects.
“Walang magawa kundi panoorin habang palutang-lutang sa baha ang kaisa-isang sasakyan nila na pinaghirapan, pinagpawisan,” Go said.
He reminded that these vehicles were not luxuries for ordinary families but products of years of sweat and sacrifice — possessions that carried both practical and emotional value.
He continued by stressing the depth of public frustration: “Hindi natin maikakaila ang sama ng loob ng taumbayan ngayon. Imagine, kaisa-isa mong (sasakyan), lumubog pa sa baha…”
From this anguish, Go shifted to outrage, pointing out how those entrusted with building flood control projects live in excess while ordinary Filipinos suffer losses.
“Tapos ‘yung mga gumagawa ng flood control, may 26 o 40 luxury cars. Paano kayo humaharap n’yan sa taumbayan?”
With this, Go drew a stark contrast: ordinary citizens losing the little they have, while some contractors allegedly profit from flood control projects and flaunt extravagant lifestyles. It was both a challenge and a condemnation — a demand that those responsible answer directly to the people they are supposed to serve.
Go recalled that as early as August 2023, he had already flagged questionable projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“As I mentioned last hearing, 2023 pa po ito, August to be exact, during a Senate hearing, hiningi ko po sa DPWH ang kanilang master plan dahil naobserbahan ko po na maraming mga flood control projects situated in areas with little or no human population. Wala talagang katao-tao,” he reminded the committee.
Go then stressed how the public has grown weary of systemic corruption and partisan squabbles.
“Mula noon hanggang ngayon, galit po tayo sa korap at mapang-abuso. Dapat lang panagutin natin ang may sala para matigil na ang ganitong nakakasukang kalakaran sa gobyerno,” said Go.
“Pagod na pagod na po, binging bingi, at sukang suka na ang taumbayan sa pulitika at siraan. Ngunit kailangan pong lumabas ang katotohanan para matigil na ang lahat ng kalokohang ito. I am one with the Filipino people in calling for accountability. Let us hold all those responsible for all this mess,” he declared.
