Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri on Tuesday voiced frustration over the failed procurement of a ₱2.5-billion patrol vessel for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), calling it a missed opportunity to strengthen maritime defense.
In a privilege speech, Zubiri said the funds, initially allocated under the 2024 General Appropriations Act, were returned to the national treasury after the procurement process stalled. The budget was meant to support PCG modernization amid heightened tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
Zubiri recalled pushing for the funding of a 60-meter offshore patrol vessel in 2023, citing repeated confrontations with the China Coast Guard.
“At that time many senators were voicing outrage, but I felt that if it was only rhetoric, nothing would happen. We had to put our money where our mouth was,” Zubiri said.
He explained that the ₱2.5-billion budget allowed government-to-government deals or negotiated contracts, including the purchase of brand-new or lightly used vessels.
The setup could have enabled a deal with Austal Limited, an Australian shipbuilder operating in Cebu, potentially generating jobs for 3,000 Filipinos.
Delays in approvals and failed bidding conferences caused the procurement to collapse. According to a letter from PCG Commandant Ronnie Gavan, requests for necessary authorizations were made in February 2025 but were only granted months later. A pre-bid conference in December 2025 saw no submitted bids.
“What a waste. What a pity for our men and women in the Coast Guard. We fought for the PCG to have this budget and yet it has been wasted,” Zubiri declared.
He added that Coast Guard personnel in Zambales and Palawan continue to rely on aging vessels for patrols.
“This could have been sailing the West Philippine Sea by now — a bold statement of our sovereignty and proof that the Philippine government supports the men and women of the Coast Guard.”
Zubiri raised the possibility that corruption, inefficiency, or incompetence caused the failure and urged the Senate finance committee to investigate.
“We want to know if the problem is corruption, ineptness or incompetence. Because we want to correct it,” he said.