MANILA – Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan pressed the government to claim warranties, penalties, and surety bonds from contractors behind substandard or non-existent flood control projects, saying the measure could allow the state to recover millions—if not billions—of pesos in losses.

Speaking during the Senate plenary session where Senate Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson delivered the third part of his exposé on anomalous multi-billion flood control projects, Pangilinan said immediate monetary punishment would be a faster remedy compared to lengthy criminal proceedings.

“Hindi ba dapat based on what we have found out so far, may kilos na ang ating gobyerno para i-enforce itong warranties na ito sa mga napakaraming proyekto na na-uncover natin na substandard o kaya ghost projects,” he said.

“Ito po isang remedyo—penalties and warranties—that government can run after the contractors,” he added, noting that insurance companies and guarantee corporations would also have to assume liabilities.

Pangilinan explained that penalties could reach up to 30 percent of the total cost of a project proven to be substandard within a year of completion.

He said the government, through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), could immediately pursue contractors and their surety companies to recover part of the wasted funds.

“Kaya dito sa warranties na ito pwedeng habulin ng gobyerno, ng public works ang ating mga contractors, kanilang surety companies para makolekta, maihabol man lang ang ilang halaga na nalustay,” the senator said.

“Immediately makaka-recover at masasaktan din itong mga contractor na ito dahil sila ay kahit paano hindi man sila nasasampahan pa ng kaso eh meron ng mga penalties na pwedeng ma-recover,” he added.

Pangilinan said he would coordinate with newly appointed DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon on how to enforce the collection of these claims.