Erwin Tulfo: Marcos freezes flood control funds due to irregularities

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the temporary suspension of the release of funds for certain flood control projects in the country due to various “problems,” according to Sen. Erwin Tulfo.

Tulfo disclosed this in an ambush interview on Wednesday, noting that he was informed of the matter by an unnamed source.

READ: Marcos: Prioritize flood response, not Sona

“Right now, President [Bongbong Marcos] has put a hold on many flood control projects, for your information. He hasn’t approved the release of any funds for flood control because he saw there were problems. Ask Malacañang about it—I know this because someone told me,” said Tulfo in Filipino.

“The [Department of Budget and Management] said the President ordered the hold. I said, good. What right does a senator or congressman have to engage in flood control? None,” he added.

READ: Marcos orders government agencies to step up flood control measures

The Inquirer has sought confirmation from Malacañang on this matter but has yet to receive a reply as of press time.

Tulfo, meanwhile, emphasized that senators and congressmen should keep their hands off the national flood control program, saying it should be handled solely by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The senator asserted that lawmakers' primary role is legislation. He also revealed his intention to push for an investigation into legislators allegedly meddling in national flood control programs.

“Ma’am, I’m part of the majority. But I’ll be the first to say, no—stop. Let’s not interfere in flood control projects. Leave it to the DPWH. Now, if you have pork barrel funds, donate all of it to DPWH. What do senators and congressmen have to do with it? No. It’s wrong. That’s not right,” he said in a mix of Filipino and English.

“I will make sure that there will be an investigation into this. Not just an investigation, but also to ensure that it’s the national government implementing flood control projects—not politicians. Not congressmen, not senators, but the Department of Public Works and Highways — the national government,” he concluded.

Marcos had earlier directed government agencies to ramp up efforts to mitigate the effects of the rainy season.

According to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, Marcos ordered the immediate clearing of drainage systems to help prevent rapid flooding, especially in Metro Manila. /jpv/abc

(2025/07/23-14:15)

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