JV Ejercito: Stronger safeguards needed for legitimate builders

Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito emphasized the need for stronger safeguards in public works to restore confidence among reputable construction firms and ensure infrastructure programs continue without disruption.

One key measure, he said, is the use of clear station numbers or precise coordinates for every Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) project. This, he stressed, would prevent the misreporting of “ghost projects” that unfairly drag honest contractors into controversy.

“During the flood control scandal, some legitimate contractors were victimized because their projects were correct, but corrupt DPWH employees placed the wrong coordinates. Hopefully, this will clear the records of these legitimate contractors who are just trying to earn a living,” Ejercito said in Filipino.

“The ones that should be prosecuted and blacklisted are those who truly have ghost projects and engaged in corruption,” he added.

Proper safeguards, he noted, give honest builders the predictability they need to continue participating in public bidding.

“This will reassure not only the public but also legitimate construction firms, encouraging them to rejoin public bidding,” Ejercito said in Filipino.

During plenary debates on the 2026 national budget, Ejercito thanked Finance Committee Chair Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian for incorporating this safeguard into the committee report.

“Bottom line, we need legitimate contractors to stay in the system, and we need high-impact infrastructure to continue. This provides jobs and drives our economy,” he said in Filipino.