Philippines Risk Management Practitioner

11/09/2025

Are We Catching the Right Fish—or Just the Small Ones?

Introduction

In the Philippines, corruption continues to manifest not only as a governance failure but as a social injustice where the poor ultimately shoulder its cost. Every misused peso meant for infrastructure, healthcare, or social welfare translates into higher taxes, weaker public services, and mounting national debt. In effect, the marginalized—those who rely most on government support—end up paying for the debt of corruption.

This commentary examines whether key government oversight and accountability agencies are truly fulfilling their mandates or merely catching the “small fish.” It explores institutional lapses, from weak auditing and oversight to failures in procurement regulation and case prosecution. More importantly, it raises the urgent question: Are these agencies designed and empowered enough to protect the people’s resources, or are they becoming part of the cycle that forces ordinary citizens to bear the burden of corruption?

1. Commission on Audit (COA)

COA is constitutionally mandated to audit all government agencies for transparency and accountability. However, delays in the public release of audit reports—often months after internal review—have hindered timely oversight. As noted by analysts, this may give the impression that COA is either understaffed or compromised in carrying out its mandate effectively.

2. Local Officials (Governors, Mayors, Congressmen)

The silence from elected officials in areas plagued by unbuilt flood control projects has been conspicuous. Their inaction—or absence of public outcry—raises concerns about either complacency or tacit acceptance of anomalies. It's hard to ignore when oversight seems to stop at the local gate.

3. Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) under DTI

PCAB recently faced serious allegations of "accreditation for sale," including extortion schemes demanding millions just to renew licenses. In response, the DTI has launched a fact-finding team, placed PCAB under direct supervision, and even revoked licenses of nine companies tied to bid-rigging schemes. These reforms show promise—but they followed major scandal, suggesting systemic lapses were tolerated for too long.

4. Ombudsman

It was raised that the Ombudsman has declined to file charges in many cases. While no immediate public data is available on recent non-actions, the broader climate—including suppression of graft cases—reinforces the perception that many lower-profile violations go unaddressed.

5. Sandiganbayan

Critiques of Sandiganbayan center on alleged dismissals of graft cases on weak grounds. Though no specific article cites recent examples, this judicial trend feeds public distrust and reinforces the sentiment of “small fish only” getting caught.

6. Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB)

GPPB is newly empowered under the revamped procurement law—RA 12009 or the New Government Procurement Act (NGPA)—which enforces open contracting, civil society participation, and beneficial ownership disclosure. These are critical foundations for reform. However, its visible role in thwarting procurement flaws has yet to be strongly felt, especially amid scandals such as flood control anomalies.

7. Philippine Competition Commission (PCC)

Despite its mandate to prevent procurement cartels and anti-competitive practices, the PCC has not filed any notable cases in procurement irregularities thus far. Its silence in this arena is striking.

Broader Challenges & Necessary Reforms

These patterns reflect broader structural issues:

Manpower Constraints: Many of these agencies—COA, Ombudsman, PCAB—appear overwhelmed, suggesting they lack sufficient manpower to perform robust oversight.

Compensation Imbalance: Government officials often receive less competitive salaries and weaker retirement benefits compared to the private sector. This undermines talent retention and makes public service less appealing, especially in risk-prone or complex roles.

Aging Leadership & Stagnation: With mandatory retirement ages still high, there's limited scope for injecting younger talent. Should the retirement age be lowered to open up positions and allow fresh ideas and ethics to flow in?

It’s Time for a Government Optimization Plan

To move beyond catching only the "small fish" and start reeling in structural corruption, it is high time to implement a proper Government Optimization Plan. Here’s what that might include:

Audit & Oversight Modernization

Increase COA’s staffing.

Mandate faster public release of reports.

Compensation Reform

Benchmark government pay to comparable roles in the private sector.

Enhance retirement and benefits packages to attract top talent.

Leadership Renewal

Consider lowering mandatory retirement age to welcome new blood.

Introduce fixed-term leadership in key oversight bodies to reduce complacency and increase accountability.

Digital & Structural Reform

Fully implement NGPA provisions—open contracting, e-procurement systems, and civil society observers.

Ensure GPPB and PCC are empowered and resourced to act decisively.

In Sum

Many agencies are still operating in form, but not always in spirit. The trend toward focusing on “small fish” reveals systemic weaknesses that compromise justice and accountability. We need bold structural reforms—starting with manpower, compensation, retirement policy, and institutional modernization—to ensure public service draws not just the grateful, but the good.

References

BusinessWorld Online. (2024, November 17). Delay in release of COA reports hampers public scrutiny — analysts. BusinessWorld Online. https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2024/11/17/635403/delay-in-release-of-coa-reports-hampers-public-scrutiny-analysts/

Department of Budget and Management. (2024, August 7). Open collaborations toward a corruption-free Philippines. DBM. https://www.dbm.gov.ph/index.php/the-secretary-2/speeches/3221-open-collaborations-toward-a-corruption-free-philippines
GMA News Online. (2025, September 1). PCAB, DTI probe contractors in alleged rigging scheme. GMA Network. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/957655/pcab-dti-probe/story/

The Department of Trade and Industry has formed a fact-finding team to oversee the investigation into the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) amid claims of irregularities in the agency.

10/09/2025

The real victims of corruption are not the powerful, but the powerless. When public funds meant for flood control, drainage, and disaster response are pocketed by corrupt politicians, it is the poor who suffer the most. Every flooded street, every lost livelihood, every family displaced is a testimony to greed in government.

While officials’ bank accounts get flooded with illicit wealth, the ordinary Filipino family gets flooded out of their homes. Corruption does not just steal money—it steals dignity, safety, and hope for a better life. If integrity were prioritized over self-interest, fewer lives would drown in suffering.

📌 Transparency, accountability, and public vigilance remain urgent calls. For when corruption thrives, it is always the poor who pay the highest price.

01/09/2025

The Harsh Truth

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BFCV5rU8U/

01/09/2025

When Corruption Fails the Flood Control—Our Nation Suffers

The Situation
The Philippines is confronting a dire convergence of natural disasters and manmade failures. Recent floods—like the tragic August 30 deluge in Quezon City and Marikina—have shown that even when infrastructure is funded, it often fails in ex*****on. Drainage systems buckle; flood control projects fall short.

What Went Wrong?
Even with soaring budgets—₱980 billion allocated from 2023 to 2025 alone—reports reveal grotesque levels of dysfunction. Senator Panfilo Lacson has warned that up to ₱1 trillion, or half of the money allotted to flood control over 15 years, may have been lost to corruption. Investigations point to “systemic corruption” where projects are either grossly overpriced, poorly built, or left unfinished. Ghost projects and “passing-through” tolls for politicians are the norm.

In Bulacan alone, a Commission on Audit (COA) fraud audit was launched to inspect anomalies in flood control works dating back to 2022. DPWH officials implicated in fraudulent projects have already been suspended or investigated, signaling a critical failure of internal oversight.

Why This Is Bigger Than Failed Infrastructure

Loss of Trust & Public Safety: The Federation of Philippine Industries warns that substandard flood defenses threaten not just communities but also businesses and economic resilience.

Moral Erosion and Citizenship: When citizens accept—or even turn a blind eye to—widespread corruption, we weaken the social contract that binds us as a nation. National Heroes Day should remind us: the sacrifices of Rizal, Bonifacio, and countless others demand active citizenship—not passive compliance.

Urgency of Genuine Reform: Senators Tulfo, Go, Pangilinan, and others call for bold accountability: investigations, criminal charges, even resetting infrastructure spending priorities. As Senator Pangilinan said: “Wag na tayong naghahalal ng magnanakaw.”

What Needs to Be Done—Immediately

Push for Transparency: Full public disclosure of flood control contracts and implementation status.

Independent Technical Audits: COA-style inspections and geo-tagged documentation must be standard.

Hold Officials Accountable: Names must be named. Ghost contractors and complicit officials must face consequences.

Build Citizen Vigilance: Report anomalies using platforms like “Sumbong sa Pangulo.” Support leaders who value integrity.

In Conclusion

Flood control should protect lives—not line pockets. But as this scandal reveals, unchecked corruption and a culture of silence allow danger to seep into the foundation of our society. What we desperately need are not just flood defenses—but a flood of integrity, accountability, and renewed patriotism.

If our national pride means anything, it’s time we act—not just demand. Otherwise, we risk burying our future in the very floodwaters we were meant to avoid.

References (APA Format)

AP News. (2025, August 26). Marcos says stronger alliances make Philippines safer amid China tensions, pledges reforms at home. Associated Press. https://apnews.com/article/fd12cc1c7d9828ec0fec47ca84946aef

ASEANews. (2025, August 11). Graft corruption Manila: Up to 60 percent of flood control costs lost to corruption. https://aseanews.net/2025/08/11/aseanews-headline-graft-corruption-manila-up-to-60-percent-of-flood-control-costs-lost-to-corruption/

BusinessMirror. (2025, August 25). Drowning in corruption: The flood control sham. BusinessMirror. https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/08/25/drowning-in-corruption-the-flood-control-sham/

Philippine News Agency. (2025, August 3). Flood control projects under scrutiny amid corruption claims. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1257003

Philippine Star. (2025, July 28). Lacson: ₱1 trillion flood control possibly lost to corruption. The Philippine Star. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/07/28/2461291/lacson-p1-trillion-flood-control-possibly-lost-corruption

Philippine Star. (2025, August 24). DPWH cleansing looms amid flood anomalies. The Philippine Star. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/08/24/2467654/dpwh-cleansing-looms-amid-flood-anomalies

Senate of the Philippines. (2025, August 27). Pangilinan urges Filipinos: ‘Wag na tayong naghahalal ng magnanakaw’. https://web.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2025/0827_pangilinan2.asp

Tribune.net.ph. (2025, August 29). FPI hits corruption in gov’t flood control. Daily Tribune. https://tribune.net.ph/2025/08/29/fpi-hit-corruption-in-govt-flood-control

Wikipedia. (2025). 2025 Quezon City floods. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Quezon_City_floods

Wikipedia. (2025). Panfilo Lacson. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panfilo_Lacson

Wikipedia. (2025). Gamaliel Cordoba. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamaliel_Cordoba

27/08/2025

🇵🇭 National Heroes Day Reflection
By: Jimmy Menor
Yesterday, we honor our national heroes—Rizal, Bonifacio, Mabini, and countless others who gave their lives for our freedom. But here’s the hard truth: their sacrifices mean nothing if we, the living, fail to love and protect our country.

👉 Look around:
We see flood control projects worth billions, yet every rainy season, communities in Bulacan, Pampanga, and Zambales are submerged. Why? Because some funds are lost to corruption, projects are left unfinished, or materials are substandard. The money meant to save lives becomes an opportunity for greed.

And what happens?
Families are forced to evacuate. Children wade through dirty floodwater to get to school. Livelihoods are destroyed. The poor suffer the most—while those who mishandled the projects remain untouched.

This is the danger of being non-patriotic.
When citizens stay silent… corruption thrives.
When we shrug our shoulders and say, “Wala na tayong magagawa”… the culture of apathy grows.
When we forget the values of bayanihan, malasakit, at dangal—we betray the legacy of our heroes.

💡 Real patriotism today isn’t just waving the flag.
It’s demanding transparency.
It’s refusing to normalize corruption.
It’s teaching our kids honesty and service.
It’s doing our part, no matter how small, to make this nation worth the sacrifices of our heroes.

Because Rizal did not die for us to remain indifferent.
Bonifacio did not fight for us to just watch corruption unfold.
Mabini did not endure paralysis only for us to paralyze our own conscience.

🙏 This National Heroes Day, let’s reflect:
Will we be part of the problem—or part of the solution?

🇵🇭 The Philippines doesn’t need perfect citizens.
It needs patriotic ones—who care, who speak up, who act.

✍️ “Ang hindi magmahal sa sariling wika, daig pa ang hayop at malansang isda.” – Jose Rizal
✍️ “Aling pag-ibig pa ang hihigit kaya, sa pagkadalisay at pagkadakila gaya ng pag-ibig sa tinubuang lupa?” – Andres Bonifacio

Be a hero in your own way. Our heroes gave us freedom. Let’s not waste it.
#

🇵🇭

27/08/2025

The Risk of a Non-Patriotic Citizen to the Nation

(Philippine Context)

A nation is only as strong as the values and commitment of its citizens. When individuals abandon patriotism—choosing personal gain, apathy, or indifference over collective responsibility—the nation suffers. In the Philippine setting, this lack of patriotism becomes fertile ground for corruption, cultural decay, and systemic failure in governance.

1. Weakening of National Integrity

A non-patriotic citizen prioritizes self-interest above national interest. This creates a culture of compromise where bribery, nepotism, and dishonesty become normalized. In the Philippines, anomalies in public projects—such as flood control initiatives riddled with overpricing, ghost projects, or substandard materials—reflect what happens when individuals involved care more about profit than public welfare. Instead of protecting communities from calamities, corruption worsens disaster risks, leaving thousands vulnerable to flooding.

2. Erosion of Cultural Values

Filipino values such as bayanihan (community spirit) and malasakit (compassion) are weakened when citizens embrace apathy. Cultural disarray emerges when people idolize material wealth and tolerate corruption as “normal.” The result is a fractured society where respect, honesty, and unity are replaced by mistrust and cynicism.

3. Perpetuation of Poverty and Inequality

Corruption in vital infrastructure—like flood control projects—directly impacts the poorest communities. Funds meant for protection and development are stolen or misused, leaving marginalized Filipinos to suffer the brunt of floods, property loss, and displacement. A non-patriotic mindset sustains this cycle by remaining silent, indifferent, or complicit.

4. Loss of Trust in Government

When anomalies such as those in Philippine flood control programs are exposed, and citizens respond with indifference instead of accountability, trust in government collapses. This distrust undermines democratic institutions, discourages civic participation, and weakens the moral fabric of governance.

5. National Security Risk

A population detached from patriotism becomes vulnerable to external manipulation. Without loyalty to nation and culture, Filipinos may be swayed by foreign interests, fake news, or divisive propaganda—further destabilizing the country already weakened by internal corruption.

🔑 Conclusion

The risk of a non-patriotic citizen is not abstract—it is visible in the corruption of flood control projects, the erosion of Filipino values, and the daily struggles of communities left unprotected from disasters. Patriotism is not blind loyalty, but the courage to demand accountability, uphold integrity, and work for the common good.

If Filipinos continue to tolerate corruption and cultural disarray, the Philippines risks drowning—not just in floodwaters—but in moral and societal collapse. True nation-building begins when every citizen embraces responsibility, resists corruption, and reclaims the spirit of bayanihan for the sake of future generations.

08/08/2025

📚 Old School: Memorize. Obey. Pass.
🤖 New School: Think. Question. Prompt.

We can’t expect critical thinking from students who were only taught to repeat facts.
Curiosity isn’t a distraction—it’s a superpower. 🚀

Now, there’s a new breed of learners:
They think critically and know how to master AI tools like ChatGPT.
They don’t just get answers—they challenge them, refine them, and turn them into gold. 💡

But here’s the catch: AI mastery without ethics = just another shortcut.
The goal? Use AI as a partner, not a crutch.
Question. Verify. Adapt.

Because in the AI era, the most powerful students aren’t the ones with the best memory—
They’re the ones with the boldest minds. 🧠✨

Read more at the comment:

06/08/2025

Buying at Big stores: Profits typically ascend to the top—to the owners or CEOs, who are often already affluent.

Buying at Small businesses: Profits generally remain within the local community, supporting the owner's daily needs, paying local employees, and sustaining the local economy.

Wisdom: Shopping at small businesses is more than just a transaction; it is an act of support for others, a way to strengthen social solidarity, and a step toward building a more just economy.

30/07/2025

“Disaster doesn't build character — it reveals leadership rot.”
Everyone loves to say “crisis builds character.”
But if three straight tropical depressions leave the same barangays flooded, the same families stranded, and the same officials missing-in-action — that’s not a character test.
That’s a systems failure with names and job titles.

Bad weather didn’t fail us — bad leadership did.

💡 If your response plan is always reactive, it’s not a plan. It’s a press release in disguise.

📣 Challenge:
Stop normalizing “resilience” when what we actually need is competence.
Hold local leaders to higher standards — before the next storm hits.
You deserve more than relief goods and empty words.

image credit to philstar

30/07/2025

☔ Rainy Season Reminders: Stay Safe, Kabayan! ☔🌧️

The ulan is here, and while the cozy vibes are real, so are the risks.
Let’s not wait for baha or sakit before we take action! Here are some simple but life-saving reminders:

🚫 Avoid These Common Rainy Season Risks:

Huwag magtampisaw sa baha!
Floodwater can carry bacteria, viruses, and even sharp debris. Leptospirosis is real!

Iwas kuryente!
Don’t touch wet electrical wires or outlets. Report fallen wires right away.

No to street food during heavy rain.
Your immune system is more vulnerable now. Stick to clean, home-cooked meals if you can.

‘Wag na pong ipilit mag-drive through flooded roads.
Delays are better than disasters. Turn around, don’t drown!

Check your roof, drainage & gutters.
Prevention beats palanggana sa sala.

Keep an emergency kit ready.
Flashlight, batteries, meds, canned goods, clean water, and important docs in a waterproof bag.

Layer up & stay dry!
Wet clothes = sipon, ubo, lagnat. Don’t forget your umbrella and raincoat, mga bes.

🙌 And most of all — pray for guidance and protection.
Let’s look out for one another. Share this to remind your family and friends!

Stay safe, warm, and alert. ☁️

23/07/2025

Prayer for the Philippines

Lord Jesus, we lift up the Philippines during this season of heavy rain. Many daily earners are unable to work, homes are flooded, and hope feels distant. Be their Provider, Shelter, and Strength. Open the hearts of the generous to give and support. Bring peace to every weary soul and provision to every table. Remind the Filipino people that You are near, faithful, and unchanging. Let Your mercy flow like rain and Your love restore what’s been lost. We trust in Your divine help and protection.

In Jesus’ name, Amen. 🇵🇭🙏

23/07/2025

Stay Ready, Stay Safe!
The combined effect of TD Crising, TS Dante, and TD Emong shows how even moderate systems can create serious hazards when they interact. Don’t wait for a direct hit—prepare now. Keep emergency kits ready, stay updated with official advisories, and support local disaster preparedness efforts. Your awareness today can save lives tomorrow.