Las Piñas Rep. Mark Anthony Santos has called on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to remove Las Piñas-Muntinlupa District Engineer Isabelo Baleros, citing alleged questionable transactions — including the transfer of hundreds of millions in flood control funds without consulting local officials.
In a statement Monday, Santos claimed Baleros requested that funds for several Las Piñas projects be moved from his district office to the DPWH’s National Capital Region office — a move reportedly approved by Public Works Assistant Secretary Loreta Malaluan and confirmed by Secretary Manuel Bonoan.
“This is a glaring act of bypassing local governance. How can you move hundreds of millions of pesos without informing the elected officials of the city? This reeks of backroom maneuvering,” Santos said.
He also questioned whether there was any visible progress on key projects such as the C5 Diversion Road and 27 other projects listed in the 2025 General Appropriations Act — worth a total of ₱450 million.
“The people of Las Piñas are asking: Was there even a single project completed before the funds were shifted? Or is this about moving money to where it can be controlled by a select few?” Santos asked.
During a House Committee on Public Accounts hearing Tuesday, where Bonoan was present, Santos confirmed the transfer of ₱450 million in funds.
“I already wrote to the Secretary, I hope they stop these practices — that’s also the appeal of the President. The problem is, when I assumed office, the funds were suddenly transferred to the regional office. The Secretary may not have even known, he just signed the transfer order from the district to the regional office,” he told Bonoan.
“Why was it transferred, ₱450 million pesos? So I am appealing to the good Secretary — I hope they tell the district engineer to stop following those who dictate on him. If possible, they should kick him out of office,” he added.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in his recent SONA, slammed officials and contractors allegedly pocketing kickbacks from flood control projects, saying they should be “ashamed of themselves.”