Marcos on gov't execs stealing public funds: Shame on you

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has served notice to government personnel who steal public funds, such as those for flood control projects, that they will be dealt with under the law.

"Kamakailan lang, nag-inspeksyon ako sa naging epekto ng Habagat at bagyong Crising, Dante at Emong.  Kitang-kita ko, maraming proyekto sa flood control mga palpak at 'yung iba, guni-guni lang," Marcos said during his fourth State of the Nation Address.

"'Wag na po tayong magkunwari, alam naman ng madla na nakakaraket sa mga proyekto. May kickback, initiative, SOP, for the boys. Kaya sa mga nakikipagsabwatan upang kunin ang pondo ng bayan at nakawin ang kinabukasan ng ating mamamayan, mahiya naman kayo sa inyong kapwa Pilipino," said the President in his speech, which received a standing ovation.

''Sa mga nakikipagsabwatan upang kunin ang pondo ng bayan at nakawin ang kinabukasan ng ating mga mamamayan, mahiya naman kayo sa inyong kapwa Pilipino. Mahiya naman kayo sa mga kabahayan nating naanod o nalubog sa pagbaha. Mahiya naman kayo lalo na sa mga anak natin na magmamana ng utang nung ibinulsa niyo ang pera,'' Marcos added.

He then tasked the Department of Public Works and Highways to submit a list of flood control projects in the last three years.

The President said there will be a regional monitoring committee that will examine the projects to see their progress and if they exist.

"We will publish this list so that the public can see it," he said. "At the same time, there will be an audit and performance review of these projects to check and make sure and to know how your money was spent."

"Sa mga susunod na buwan makakasuhan ang mga lalabas na maysala mula sa imbestigasyon pati na ang kasabwat na kontratista sa buong bansa.  Kailangan malaman ng taumbayan and katotohanan, kailangan may managot sa matinding pinsala at katiwalian," he said.

The reported death toll due to the impact of Tropical Cyclones Crising, Dante, Emong, and the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat has increased to 31, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Monday. 

In its 6 a.m. report, the NDRRMC said most of these fatalities were reported in Metro Manila with nine. 

This was followed by Western Visayas with six; Calabarzon with five; Negros Island Region and Northern Mindanao with three each; two in Central Luzon; and Mimaropa, Davao Region, and Caraga with one each. 

A total of 6,276,280 people or 1,751,776 families were affected by the bad weather in all regions except Eastern Visayas. 

A state of calamity was declared in 192 cities and municipalities following the flooding in parts of the country triggered by rains brought by the Southwest Monsoon.

Climate action group Aksyon Klima Pilipinas earlier called on lawmakers to conduct a legislative inquiry into the status and implementation of flood control projects nationwide and their effectiveness in mitigating flooding in their respective areas. —LDF, GMA Integrated News