“Public funds are a sacred trust; it is time we started treating them that way”
FOR too long, the infrastructure landscape of the Philippines has been treated less like a public service and more like a private ledger for the well-connected.
We see it in the aftermath of every typhoon: billions of pesos poured into flood control projects, yet the same streets remain submerged, and the same communities remain vulnerable.
On Feb. 21, 2026, Task Force Kasanag, led by Dr. John Chiong, sent a clear message to the halls of power: the era of looking the other way is over.
By reaffirming its commitment to legal accountability regarding irregularities within the Department of Public Works and Highways, TFK isn’t just filing complaints; it is demanding a fundamental shift in how our nation’s wealth is guarded.
A Culture of Impunity Under Scrutiny
Public infrastructure funds are not “free money”—they are the hard-earned contributions of every Filipino taxpayer.
When these funds are diverted through alleged corruption and anomalous flood control projects, the cost isn’t just measured in pesos; it’s measured in lost lives and destroyed livelihoods.
TFK’s recent disclosures are a masterclass in persistence.
Since 2022, the organization has been meticulously documenting irregularities, naming names that many would prefer to remain in the shadows.
From high-ranking officials to multi-billion peso construction firms, the list of those cited in TFK’s complaints is a sobering “Who’s Who” of the infrastructure sector.
Names, Not Just Numbers
Accountability requires specificity. You cannot fight a ghost.
By filing an ethics complaint against House Committee on Public Works Chairperson Romeo Salazar Momo Sr. and identifying specific firms like GCI Construction, Equi-Parco, and Montesclaros Enterprises, TFK is providing the “competent authorities” with more than just suspicions—they are providing a roadmap for investigation.
It is worth noting that TFK’s reach is nationwide, covering regions from Bicol to Northern Luzon.
This highlights a systemic issue that transcends local politics. Whether it is the 2022 filings against former Secretary Manuel Bonoan and various Regional Directors, or the plunder complaints against former Undersecretary Romeo Momo, the message remains consistent: No office is too high, and no contract is too large to escape scrutiny.
The Need for Institutional Reform
While every individual and entity mentioned is entitled to the presumption of innocence and due process, the sheer volume of documented concerns—mirrored by Senate Blue Ribbon Committee inquiries—suggests that the DPWH is in dire need of a “structural” overhaul.
We cannot expect different results if we continue to use the same opaque processes.
TFK’s advocacy isn’t just about “catching the bad guys.” it’s about advocating for the institutional reforms necessary to restore public trust.
We need:
Radical Transparency. Clear, real-time tracking of infrastructure spending.
Strict Oversight. Independent audits that go beyond mere paperwork.
Genuine Consequences. A legal system where “plunder” isn’t just a headline, but a prosecuted reality.
The Road Ahead
As a nation, we are at a crossroads. We can continue to treat infrastructure anomalies as an “open secret” of Philippine governance, or we can support the civic groups like Task Force Kasanag doing the heavy lifting of democracy.
Dr. Chiong and his team were among the first to sound the alarm in 2022.
Four years later, they are still standing, still filing, and still demanding answers.
It is time for the rest of our oversight institutions to match that energy.
Public funds are a sacred trust; it is time we started treating them that way.
(The writer holds Juris Doctor, PhD, MNSA, MPA, and MBA degrees. He is Chairman Emeritus of the Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya, People’s Alliance for Democracy and Reforms, Liga Independencia Pilipinas, and the Filipinos Do Not Yield Movement.)
