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Wazzup Pilipinas!?
Pasig City woke up to a storm of revelations — not the kind that drowns streets in floodwater, but one that threatens to wash away the walls of silence protecting some of the most entrenched players in the country’s infrastructure projects.
This morning, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. unveiled the Top 15 DPWH contractors for flood control projects, a list that should have been a badge of honor for companies delivering critical public works. Instead, it became a roll call of controversy.
Among the top names? Alpha & Omega, ranked second, and St. Timothy, ranked third. Both — along with other players like St. Gerrard — are reportedly under the ownership and control of a single family: the Discayas.
And now, the truth is trickling out faster than the lies can dam it.
“Mahiya Naman Kayo!” — The President’s Own Words
Mayor Vico Sotto did not mince words in addressing PasigueƱos. With a mix of urgency and frustration, he reminded the public that even the President, during his recent State of the Nation Address, had lashed out at the corruption plaguing infrastructure projects, telling the culprits bluntly:
"Mahiya naman kayo!"
But this is not just a vague allegation. This is a carefully mapped-out, systemic practice — a blueprint for corruption — that Mayor Sotto laid bare for all to see.
The Six Stages of Corruption
Mayor Sotto outlined what he calls the “Six Stages of Corruption” — a chilling guide to how public money is siphoned away from the people:
Procurement & Bidding Manipulation
Collusion and anomalies already start before the first shovel hits the ground. Bidding becomes a theatrical performance with a predetermined winner.
Substandard or Imaginary Projects
Roads that crumble within months. Flood control systems that don’t control floods. And, as the President himself said — some projects that are nothing more than “guni-guni” (imaginations).
SOP Kickbacks Up to Half the Project Cost
Mayor Sotto cited statements from Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Senator Panfilo Lacson: “Standard Operating Procedures” — euphemism for bribes — allegedly eat up more than 50% of the budget before work even begins.
Tax Evasion on National Level
Even while swimming in illicit profits, these companies allegedly evade paying the correct taxes to the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
Tax Evasion on the Local Level
Mayor Sotto revealed that one top contractor declared ZERO gross revenue to the LGU — despite securing massive contracts.
Political Expansion Using Stolen Money
Once the cycle is mastered, the corrupt branch out into politics, doling out a mere 1% of their stolen wealth to the public as “charity” to buy goodwill.
Pasig’s Stand: No One is Untouchable
Mayor Sotto was clear: This will not be tolerated in Pasig.
He promised a two-pronged attack:
First, send all gathered intelligence and red flags directly to the President, ensuring the national government sees what the LGU sees.
Second, pursue legal cases to recover the millions — if not billions — of pesos in unpaid business taxes owed by these companies.
The vision is simple but bold: If Pasig can collect these unpaid taxes, the city can fully fund the construction of a new building for the Judiciary and National Government Agencies — without cutting a single cent from other vital programs.
The Call to PasigueƱos: Courage Over Silence
Mayor Sotto admitted this fight is neither easy nor safe. But he issued a rallying cry to his constituents:
“It may be difficult and even dangerous, but let’s do our part in exposing and ending these systemic practices of corruption.”
In a city — and a country — where political dynasties, corporate greed, and public funds often mix into a toxic brew, this is not just a Pasig problem. It’s a Philippine problem.
And for once, someone in power is not just whispering about it — he’s saying it loud enough for everyone to hear.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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