IN the Philippines, corruption has many names. Now, there’s even a new term for it: “corruptionary,” a mix of corruption and dictionary. Sadly, this “dictionary” keeps growing because new scams keep appearing in government projects.
Senators Panfilo Lacson and JV Ejercito recently exposed how corruption continues to plague flood control projects. These scams don’t just waste money—they put people’s homes and lives in danger every time floods hit.
Senator Ejercito joked, “Instead of cement and steel getting thicker, it’s the faces of corrupt officials that have thickened (kumapal).” His point is clear: projects are often built not because people need them, but because officials want profit.
One new scheme is called “sahod.” Here, losing bidders in a government project are secretly paid off to make the bidding look fair. This trick costs the government billions each year. Ejercito also described two kinds of projects: “pampamilya” projects, which are real and useful, and “pang-isports” projects, which exist only on paper to steal money.
The Department of Public Works and Highways office in Bulacan was singled out for allowing scattered, unnecessary projects without a proper master plan. Local officials even admitted they received projects they never asked for—proof that funds were being dumped just to be spent, not to help communities.
Yes, there are new laws like the Government Procurement Act of 2024, along with the long-standing Anti-Graft Law. But even with these rules, corruption continues because enforcement is weak and accountability is rare.
As Senator Ejercito warned, even “small” abuses pile up and lead to disasters. When floods destroy homes, it’s not just bad weather—it’s also the result of corruption and greed.
If we really want to close this “corruptionary,” we need more than laws. We need honest leaders and officials who remember that public money is meant for the people, not for their pockets.
