What happened to flood control in the 7th District?

Ombudsman Boying Remulla, in his recent visit to the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Visayas, mentioned two things that should cause some sleepless nights to the congressman, LGU leaders, the DPWH officials and the favorite contractor from Dumanjug. I do believe that before Remulla goes to the Supreme Court, and that is before the end of the year, many heads shall roll from my home district.

A number of the members of the House used to be my students in Law schools like, UST, UE, San Beda, FEU, and many others, and they would usually pull my leg by asking me to explain how in the world did it happen that the most remote district from the south would get the lion's share of the budget insertions for flood control. And my late father, having been from Dumanjug, these members of Congress would kid me how come a contractor from a far-flung town who used to sell bamboo poles, would be favored with billions of pesos worth of flood-control projects.

Of course, my repartee would be: Ask yourselves. You are the congressmen. You passed the budget. I am only your Law professor. But, they would usually invoke their right to remain silent because, for all I know, these former students of mine may also have their own share of flood-control insertions, for obvious reasons. The DPWH made the word "allocables" famous by giving pork barrel a new name. And these things should be exposed by the ombudsman. Heads must roll in the name of justice, even if the heavens may fall.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla reported that his office discovered more than ?60 billion worth of flood-control projects over a span of five years. No less than 20% of the whole amount or no less than ?12 billion went to my home district, the most blessed seventh. And the ombudsman specified that 25% of the total amount or P15 billion was cornered by my late father's townmate, a contractor who appeared before the Senate investigation whom Senator Rodante Marcoleta threatened with a gavel or a hammer. I think I heard the Ombudsman mention the word "greedy".

Everyone knows that the former congressman Peter John Calderon was replaced by his wife who is now the incumbent and many were asking why he did not run for reelection when he was not yet term-limited. When interviewed why his district was too favored among the many other districts which are more prone to flooding, I think I heard him saying that he had nothing to do about the allocation, although he admitted that he was a deputy chairman of the House appropriation committee. I thought I heard some pundits saying: Tell that to the marines.

Congressman Peter John is a good man, an honorable man like his father and twin brother. I think he is an honest man too. But he is just too lucky that his friend Zaldy Co chose the 7th District as the parking district for the billions in allocables. Nobody would believe that he did not get some blessings from heaven, but I really would like to convince myself that he is incorruptible. His wife, the lady doctor who now represents the district, is also a woman of dignity and honor. I hope the Ombudsman would look kindly at her.

Peter John Calderon is a very godly man, he and some mayors from the district reportedly went on a religious pilgrimage in Europe, walking the Camino de Santiago to follow the footsteps of Saint James in France, Spain, and Portugal. He is a man of God. He does not worship money like others do. But again I hear some pundits say: Tell that to the marines. But until now, I think he is an honorable man. I hope Ombudsman Boying Remulla thinks like I do.

I hope Saint James shall bless the 7th District with a clear explanation, where did the P12 billion go. Where are the flood-control projects in the district I call my home. I cannot invoke my right to remain silent.