Mga Awit, Tula, at Titik ni Rios

Ex-DPWH Official Claims Nearly All Project Bids Are Rigged
Manila, Philippines — A former undersecretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has alleged that almost all infrastructure project biddings in the country are manipulated, raising renewed concerns about corruption in the government’s biggest spending agency.
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee resumed its hearing on alleged anomalies in flood control projects on Thursday (September 25). During the hearing former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo said that almost 100% of the project bids are rigged. The bidding process is rarely genuine and is often predetermined to favor specific contractors.
“Almost 100 percent of these projects are already ‘lutong-luto’ (rigged). The winners are decided before the bidding even starts,” Bernardo claimed.
Rigged from the Start
Bernardo described the practice as a system where winners are pre-arranged, competitors merely serve as token bidders, and government insiders coordinate with contractors to secure results. He added that project costs are often inflated, allowing the chosen contractors to pocket excess funds.
Such practices, he warned, not only erode public trust but also waste billions of pesos in taxpayers’ money meant for roads, bridges, and flood-control projects.
Billions at Stake
The DPWH has long received the largest share of the national budget. For 2025, it was allocated ₱822 billion, with nearly half going to road and flood-control projects. If the claims are true, a significant portion of these funds may be lost to corruption and substandard outputs.
Observers note that infrastructure projects have frequently been criticized as “patronage pipelines” for politicians, with local contractors often linked to political allies.
Calls for Accountability
Bernardo’s revelations have prompted calls for congressional inquiries, stronger auditing powers for the Commission on Audit, greater transparency in bid disclosures, and tougher penalties for both public officials and contractors involved in collusion.
Civil society groups warn that without genuine reforms, corruption will remain deeply entrenched in the department.
Awaiting Official Response
As of this writing, the DPWH has yet to issue a formal statement addressing Bernardo’s allegations. Malacañang and other government oversight bodies have also remained silent, though the matter is expected to be raised in legislative hearings.
A Persistent Problem
The DPWH has faced repeated corruption accusations in past administrations. Substandard projects, duplicate budget entries, and “ghost” infrastructure have been exposed over the years, but accountability has been limited.
Bernardo’s remarks suggest that these issues may be far more systemic than previously acknowledged.
The Challenge Ahead
As infrastructure continues to be a major focus of government spending, questions remain: How much of the budget is truly used for quality public works? Can bidding be cleaned up to restore trust? And will those responsible for rigging the system ever face consequences?
Until those answers are made clear, Bernardo’s claim that “almost 100 percent” of bids are rigged will continue to cast a shadow over the nation’s public works sector.
-rios delprado
#DPWH #Corruption #Infrastructure #Transparency #GoodGovernance #LutongLuto

9 months ago | [YT] | 0

Mga Awit, Tula, at Titik ni Rios

Accountability and Comfort: The Stark Contrast Between Duterte’s ICC Detention and De Lima’s Harsh Imprisonment
The pursuit of justice often demands sacrifice, endurance, and resilience. For former Vice President Leni Robredo, the due process now being faced by former President Rodrigo Duterte at the International Criminal Court (ICC) is a significant step toward accountability and justice — a process that former Senator Leila de Lima endured in far more difficult and unjust conditions.
In a press conference on March 15, 2025, Robredo reflected on the contrasting experiences of Duterte and De Lima, highlighting the glaring disparity in how justice is served depending on one’s political standing and influence. Robredo acknowledged that Duterte’s current situation at The Hague, where he faces charges related to the brutal drug war that defined his presidency, is incomparable to the harsh realities De Lima endured for nearly seven years.
“Nakita ko ‘yung sitwasyon niya [Leila] eh, nakita ko ‘yung sitwasyon niya na malayo sa sitwasyon ngayon… She had to endure all of that kasi sinunod niya ‘yung due process, hinarap niya ‘yung charges against her no matter how difficult and unfair,” Robredo said.
De Lima’s ordeal began when she was arrested on politically motivated drug charges during Duterte’s administration — charges widely believed to be fabricated to silence her outspoken criticism of the drug war. She spent almost seven years in the PNP Custodial Center under harsh and degrading conditions. Confined to a small, humid room with no air conditioning, only an electric fan, and limited access to communication tools, De Lima was forced to write her notes on bond paper as she continued to fulfill her senatorial duties. Her detention was not just uncomfortable — it was dangerous. She even survived a hostage situation involving a fugitive detained in a nearby cell, further underscoring the precariousness of her captivity.
In stark contrast, Duterte’s detention at the ICC is practically luxurious. Reports indicate that he is housed in a well-maintained facility with air conditioning, three full meals a day, and access to conjugal visits — amenities that De Lima could only dream of during her imprisonment. The ICC detention center is known for its humane treatment of detainees, adhering to international standards of human rights.
Robredo’s comparison underscores a bitter irony: Duterte, who presided over a violent drug war that resulted in thousands of extrajudicial killings, now benefits from the very human rights and due process he denied to so many Filipinos — including De Lima. Meanwhile, De Lima, who was accused without solid evidence and subjected to inhumane conditions, stood her ground and fought through the legal process with dignity and strength.
The difference between the two cases highlights the imbalance of power and privilege within the justice system. Duterte, whose administration weaponized the law to punish critics and shield allies, is now being held accountable under the very principles of fairness and human rights that he undermined. De Lima, on the other hand, endured years of unjust imprisonment but ultimately emerged vindicated.
Robredo’s reflection is more than a call for justice — it is a reminder of the resilience of those who fight for truth and accountability, even when the odds are stacked against them. The comfort Duterte experiences in The Hague stands in stark contrast to the suffering De Lima endured, but in the end, true justice is not about comfort — it is about accountability and the truth prevailing, no matter how long the journey takes.

1 year ago | [YT] | 0