PGMN host slams QC Rep. Rillo for alleged P75-M project irregularities
FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Quezon City 4th District Rep. Marvin Rillo was slammed by a television host for alleged irregularities in a P75-million project to construct a multi-purpose building in a public high school.
Watch the full episode here:
The project at Carlos L. Albert High School was planned in three phases with a total budget of P225 million. The first phase, worth P75 million, was previously announced by Rillo in a social media post last March.
However, in a video posted earlier this April, Peanut Gallery Media Network anchor CJ Hirro claimed the project’s official documents—particularly the bidding documents and the project billboard—made no mention of phases. She noted that such information should be explicitly included in the special conditions section of the bidding documents to ensure funding continuity across administrations. Moreover, no budget had been allocated for the second and third phases of the project.
The journalist also cited the Bill of Quantities section of the bidding documents, which listed items such as ceiling reinforcements, windows, doors, and tiles. Hirro argued this showed the budget was for a completed building—not merely for its foundation and posts.
In a text exchange with INQUIRER.net on Saturday evening, Rillo referred to a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) update last March, which stated: “Additional funding for Phase 2 of the project was immediately requested in the budget proposals for FY [Fiscal Year] 2024 and 2025. However, no fund was appropriated.” The statement was issued in response to the malversation case filed in court by Citizens Crime Watch. The DPWH did not provide documentary proof to support its statement.
Hirro also alleged that the bidding documents obtained from the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) lacked detailed architectural, electrical, mechanical, sanitary, and structural plans.
Rillo responded: “Nasa legal kami lahat, as certified by [the] DPWH, unlike kay CJ Hirro. Hearsay siya.” (We’re legal on everything, as certified by the DPWH—unlike CJ Hirro. She’s just hearsay.)
Hirro further cited a P43.88-million multi-purpose building in Pook Daang Tubo in Barangay UP Campus, Diliman.
She said the project, which began in February 2023 and was due for completion in December 2023, has only posted a 1.79 percent completion rate to date.
Rillo explained: “Hindi pa nga napopondohan ’yun. Plano pa lang namin ’yun kasi UP property ’yan. Pinapa-aprub namin sa UP. ’Pag ok na sa UP, saka namin papopondohan.”
(We haven’t funded that yet. It’s still just a plan because that’s UP property. We’re getting it approved with UP. Once they approve it, then we’ll fund it.)
Cong. Rillo led the ground breaking ceremony for the project on March 28, 2023.
“We have once again brought a program to Barangay UP Campus, where we will be constructing a Three-Storey Multi-Purpose Building funded from our allocation,” Rillo posted on Facebook three days later.
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(Isa nanaman pong programa ang binaba natin sa Brgy. UP Campus kung saan tayo po ay magpapagawa ng Three Storey Multi-Purpose Building mula sa ating Pondo.)
