In a stunning display of transparency and accountability, the Philippine Congress witnessed an unprecedented confrontation this week, exposing shocking anomalies in government infrastructure spending. At the center of the controversy: the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), accused of systematic overpricing and gross mismanagement of billions of pesos meant for critical projects.

The latest round of hearings revealed that over PHP 5 billion may have been misappropriated from farm-to-market road projects alone, leaving both legislators and the public reeling. Senator Sherwin Gatsalan, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, delivered a scathing indictment of the agency, labeling the overpricing as an “obvious sign of corruption.” According to the senator, the malpractices are not isolated incidents but symptoms of a systemic rot infecting the entire DPWH.

“This is not just a miscalculation or a small oversight. This is corruption that has spread like cancer throughout the agency,” Gatsalan said. “From flood control to school construction, from military infrastructure to health facilities, the evidence is everywhere.”

The senator’s frustration culminated in a radical, nearly unprecedented proposal: abolish the DPWH entirely. He argued that incremental reforms have proven insufficient and that a fresh start may be the only solution to cleanse the agency of entrenched malfeasance. “Sometimes, if you cannot fix it, you build a new one,” he stated, leaving the chamber in stunned silence.

The hearings also brought to light the struggle of government officials to account for massive budget allocations. A particularly tense moment occurred when the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) requested PHP 2.7 billion for 2026, raising questions about fiscal responsibility. Congressman Kiko Barzaga of Cavite grilled the officials with sharp questions, probing whether such funds were genuinely necessary or merely speculative.

“The public cannot allow billions of pesos to be spent on uncertain outcomes,” Barzaga insisted. “Every peso must have a clear purpose, especially when the livelihood of ordinary Filipinos is at stake.”

Caught off guard by the direct questioning, the PCO representatives struggled to provide precise answers. The debate threatened to spiral into chaos until Deputy Speaker Janette Garen intervened. Calm and authoritative, she clarified the distinction between two high-profile government initiatives: the upcoming ASEAN Summit in 2026 and the Philippines’ aspiration for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. According to Garen, the ASEAN hosting is a concrete, scheduled obligation requiring PCO oversight, while the UN bid is a long-term strategic goal that does not yet warrant additional budget allocation.

This clarification helped temper the tension inside the chamber, but it did not erase the larger, more disturbing revelations about systemic mismanagement. The hearings underscored the scale of the problem, exposing ghost projects, overinflated contracts, and connections between construction firms and former high-ranking officials.

While government officials assured the public that investigations would continue, the hearings sparked a broader conversation about moral responsibility. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) issued a call for a National Day of Prayer and Public Repentance, coinciding with the Feast of the Holy Rosary. Across the country, Filipinos gathered in churches to pray for accountability among leaders and for the return of stolen resources. A senior priest emphasized, “This is not just a day for prayers but a call for change and for officials to admit their wrongdoing.”

The urgency of these reforms was further highlighted by recent calamities. In Cagayan, an overloaded bridge collapsed under the weight of heavy trucks, injuring at least seven people. Investigators reported that the bridge’s collapse was linked to structural weaknesses, underscoring how corruption and mismanagement in infrastructure have direct consequences on public safety.

The hearings also shed light on the human cost of public scrutiny. DPWH employees reported harassment and online bullying, prompting temporary restrictions on wearing official uniforms for their protection. Despite these personal risks, lawmakers continue to demand transparency and accountability, reflecting a growing frustration with decades of entrenched corruption.

The cumulative effect of the hearings, public outcry, and religious appeals paints a stark picture of a nation grappling with moral and institutional decay. In response, the administration has begun reallocating funds from flood control projects to education and social programs, emphasizing the need for strategic priorities that directly benefit the citizenry.

The implications of these revelations extend beyond national politics. The misuse of billions in infrastructure spending undermines public trust, weakens democratic institutions, and threatens economic stability. As Senator Gatsalan warned, incremental fixes are no longer sufficient. The question now facing the government is whether it has the courage to implement radical reforms or continue to tolerate systemic corruption.

Observers have noted that the intensity of the hearings and the public’s growing impatience reflect a historic moment. Citizens, religious leaders, and legislators alike are demanding accountability, proving that in the Philippines, corruption is no longer a silent crime.

As the nation watches, the DPWH’s fate hangs in the balance. Will it survive another decade of mismanagement, or will Senator Gatsalan’s call for a complete overhaul become the catalyst for a cleaner, more accountable government? One thing is clear: the public is no longer willing to accept excuses, and the call for justice grows louder with each passing day.

The coming months will test the resolve of the country’s leaders, the integrity of its institutions, and the vigilance of its citizens. For now, the spotlight remains firmly on the DPWH, the PCO budget, and the critical question of how billions of pesos meant for progress continue to vanish without a trace.