Solon warns vs. corruption amid state of calamity

Akbayan Partylist Representative Atty. Chel Diokno urged the public to stay vigilant amid the government’s declaration of a national state of calamity, warning that unchecked powers could lead to a potential repeat of the Pharmally controversy.

His statement came after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Proclamation No. 1077, declaring a one-year national state of calamity in response to the widespread devastation caused by Typhoon Tino. The proclamation covers all natural disasters and calamities that may occur within the year.

“The government must ensure full transparency in all transactions to guarantee that every peso is used properly, efficiently, and solely for the benefit of those affected,” Diokno said.

The lawmaker expressed concern over a provision in the proclamation allowing emergency negotiated procurement for one year, warning that it could “open the floodgates to corruption if not paired with strict transparency and accountability safeguards.”

To prevent potential abuse, Diokno proposed several recommendations to strengthen oversight and accountability. These include defining the geographic scope and conditions for maintaining or lifting the state of calamity and requiring regular public reporting and independent audits on the use of emergency funds.

He also emphasized the need to involve affected local governments in both decision-making and monitoring to ensure that aid reaches those who need it most.

For full transparency, Diokno recommended that all negotiated contracts be published online and barred from being awarded to undercapitalized companies, to prevent exploitation of emergency procurement rules.

“The emergency powers are not a blank check to be abused,” Diokno stressed. “Such authority must always come with transparency, accountability, and clear limits to ensure it truly serves the public.”

He further proposed the inclusion of sunset clauses or automatic reviews to prevent indefinite extensions of the state of calamity, while maintaining procurement standards and establishing citizen reporting mechanisms to expose potential misuse of funds.

“The government must also set sunset clauses or automatic reviews to prevent indefinite extensions, maintain procurement standards even in emergencies with added safeguards against corruption, and establish clear channels for citizens to report misuse or abuse of funds,” he reiterated.