Concerns over possible political interference resurfaced on Friday after anti-corruption groups and some lawmakers raised questions about farm-to-market road (FMR) projects that they say show signs of overpricing and irregular allocation, and urged investigators to ensure any inquiry remains independent.
The groups pointed to the Supreme Court’s standards for prosecuting plunder cases, citing the 2017 ruling in Macapagal-Arroyo v. People (G.R. No. 220598), which stressed that prosecutors must identify a specific public officer who allegedly amassed at least ₱50 million through a series of criminal acts — the so-called “main plunderer” requirement.
Legal observers said the guideline is critical in multi-respondent cases because complaints may fail if they do not clearly specify who supposedly accumulated the alleged ill-gotten wealth.
The renewed calls followed remarks by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, who has cited FMR projects in Camarines Sur, Albay and Bulacan that he said appeared significantly above typical cost benchmarks, including projects reportedly priced at ₱30 million or more.
One project cited by critics is a 287-meter FMR in Tacloban City, Leyte, which received ₱100 million under the 2024 national budget. Advocacy groups said the project’s price tag warrants closer review, given its size and comparable road costs elsewhere.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) — which approves FMRs under the National Farm-to-Market Road Network Plan 2023–2028 — has not publicly detailed the costing basis for the Tacloban project. The DA is headed by Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Laurel.
Some watchdogs said that prior media reports describing Laurel and former Speaker Martin Romualdez as long-time associates have heightened calls for “no-whitewash” safeguards, arguing that investigators should demonstrate independence to avoid any perception of favoritism.
“Regardless of personalities involved, the public expects a thorough review of approvals, costing, and beneficiaries,” one coalition said, urging authorities to make project validations and bill-of-quantities accessible for independent scrutiny.
Romualdez, Laurel, and former congressman Zaldy Co have been named by critics in connection with the broader allegations, though no formal plunder case has been confirmed by authorities as of Friday. The Office of the Ombudsman and the DA have yet to issue official statements on any prospective filings.
Business News Asia