Kiko warns vs. pocketing farm-to-market road funds: We'll go after you

Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan warned Saturday that those who would attempt to steal or misuse funds for farm-to-market roads (FMRs) will be held accountable and face summonses for potential Senate hearings.

Pangilinan issued the warning as he stressed that evidence was already being prepared for the filing of cases against those implicated in FMR projects under investigation for alleged corruption. 

"We have put in place several safeguards para talagang matiyak [na walang magiging korapsyon]… 'Wag na nila subukan dahil makakatikim sila. Papatawag natin sila sa Senado. Pagpapaliwanagin natin sila. Isu-subpoena natin sila kung kinakailangan kapag nakita natin na may mga kalokohan," said Pangilinan, chair of the Senate committee on agriculture, food, and agrarian reform.

(We have put in place several safeguards to really ensure [that there will be no corruption]… They'd better not try because they really will face the consequences. We will call them into the Senate. We will make them explain. We will issue a subpoena against them should we see that they have committed wrongdoings.)

Under the 2026 budget, P33 billion was earmarked for farm-to-market roads. The budget allocation will cover about 1,600 new FMRs to be implemented this year.

Amid public uproar over alleged corruption in infrastructure projects, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said last October that it would take over the development and construction of FMRs from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) beginning 2026.

That same month, Malacañang said P105 million worth of alleged "ghost" or non-existent farm-to-market road projects would be investigated by the DA and the DPWH, and that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos has received the Agriculture Department's report on the matter.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has said the national FMR roadmap indicates 131,000 kilometers of needed rural roads, but over 60,000 kilometers have still yet to be built. 

Earlier this January, Tiu Laurel assured the FMRs that will be built by the DA are properly costed in the 2026 national budget. His statement came after the People's Budget Coalition said more than 800 FMRs under the DA budget line have "very round numbers," supposedly indicating that they were not costed properly.

Validation required

Pangilinan, meanwhile, said current safeguards against misuse included an online dashboard, geotagging, and citizens' participatory audit.

The senator said the DA will be required to validate several details on projects including actual costs, design, programs, budgets, and others to ensure proper implementation of the FMR Program.

He called on the private sector, local government units, and other stakeholders to provide information regarding the wrongful implementation of FMR projects.

EXPLAINER: What are farm-to-market roads?

"Babantayan natin 'yan. Kaya ang panawagan natin sa mga mag-iimplimenta nito ay 'wag niyo nang itangkang gamitin itong mga pondong ito para sa kurakot dahil hahabulin namin kayo," he added.

(We'll keep watch. That is why we call on those who will implement this to refrain from attempting to use these funds for corrupt practices because we will go after you.)

FMRs are designed to link agriculture and fisheries production areas, coastal landing sites, and post-harvest facilities to markets and major highways.

These roads are intended to reduce transport and production costs for farmers, enabling them to earn higher prices and increase their incomes. — VDV, GMA Integrated News