Public servants shouldn’t be onion-skinned. They need to answer bona fide questions from their constituents. With all the hullabaloo on flood control, it’s my opinion that former congressman of Cebu’s 7th District, as well as the incumbent, his own wife, have a lot of issues to clarify.
PJ and Dra. Patricia Cinco Calderon are persons of integrity, honor and dignity. Nonetheless, they may have the legal and moral obligation to answer questions on the issue of flood control.
PJ used to be mayor of Samboan, which belongs to the 2nd District. We don’t know why he was later representing the 7th District, from 2016 to 2019 and again from 2019 to 2022 and from 2022 to 2022 and from 2022 to 2025. He was a Provincial Board member from 2007 to 2016. He was succeeded by his wife, Patricia, who ran without any serious opposition in 2025.
First, as vice chairman of Zaldy Co’s magical and controversial Appropriations Committee, under the overall leadership of resigned speaker Martin Romualdez, PJ should explain to the people and to the nation, and especially to the concerned citizens of Cebu, particularly of the 7th District, how in the world did this remote area get the lion’s share of flood control budget, when there is no scientific study indicating that the eight towns in southwest Cebu are the most flood-prone in the whole province.
Second, the Calderons should explain, what political and financial wisdom guided Congress in allocating no less than ?12.06 billion to the 7th District alone, as declared in the online Sumbong sa Pangulo platform, out of the total ?25.521 billion allocated for the entire island of Cebu. Out of 395 flood control projects for the entire Cebu, why did Calderon’s district get 162? Congressmen are national officials, not LGU or parochial leaders. Did they consider the bigger picture instead of focusing only on the most remote district? It is incumbent upon the Calderons to explain this to the people. Explain the rhyme and the reason.
Third, why was the 1st District, with three cities, and with a population multiplied four times the population of the 7th District, and with too many flood-prone areas given only ?3.01 billion or just one-fourth that of Calderon’s district? The 3rd District, with the big city of Toledo and the largest towns of Barili and Balamban, and with a population four times bigger, given only ?1.95 billion, or less than one-sixth of what Calderon’s district got? What formula did Calderon’s committee use in the distribution of public funds?
Fourth, explain why the 7th District had 162 flood control projects. Where are these located? What is the scientific basis in terms of atmospheric geophysical and astronomical criteria and determining factors? What planning parameters and mechanics were used by the congressman and the DPWH in determining that there should be 162 flood control projects in the 7th District, while only 36 in the 1st District, only seven in the 6th District, and 42 in the 3rd District? My God, all thinking Cebuanos should be amazed at such a draconian mystery.
Fifth, the Calderons should declare the exact location by precise geographic coordinates, where in the world these specific projects are located. Where in Malabuyoc are the so-called 38 projects supposedly costing ?3.3 billion located? How many projects are in Ronda, my own hometown, which is allegedly blessed by no less than ?2.6 billions. I am from Ronda and I always go around my small town. And I can testify before the holy image of Our Lady of Sorrows that I have not seen these projects. Well, I am not saying that they do not exist. I must be either blind or a stranger in my own paradise.
Lastly, the Calderons should declare why of all contractors in the whole universe, his close friend’s own construction company, a single proprietorship, based in Dumanjug, the QM Builders, reportedly cornered 89 projects worth ?7.15 billion in the whole Cebu and Quirante Construction Corp. allegedly got a whopping 41 projects worth ?3.19 billion. It must not be an accident that QM and Quirante Construction have been blessed with such huge, even gargantuan multi-million projects.
With no malice or bad faith, as a taxpayer from the 7th District, this humble writer has the right to know the truth. If the Calderons have nothing to hide, they should take these questions calmly and in good faith. I believe they are honorable people.