I am glad that the President touched on the issue of corruption in flood control program which we have consistently raised ever since. Being sometimes a lone voice in echoing the problem of worsening flooding which has more than P1 billion daily budget, I feel relieved and vindicated that the President heeds our consistent calls to probe into flood control budgets in order to make sure that every peso serves its intended purpose—to protectour communities and save lives during disasters, not to enrich corrupt individuals.
However, we expected that the President will lay down more concrete ways to address the worsening problem of graft and corruption which robs the public funds intended for development and better services for our people. We also expected that the President, like what he did to POGOs, will declare his opposition to online gambling which is destroying many lives. Though not included in the speech, we hope that the President will still put equal emphasis and priority on these two crucial issues.
As for CIBAC Party-List, we will continue to be an objective fiscalizer towards a more transparent, accountable and effective government for the Filipino people.