Tiangco Defends P528M: "I'm Not a Contractor!

Manila - Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco has fired back at critics, admitting he asked for more funds for his flood-prone city — but insisting there’s nothing shady about it.

“Navotas is below sea level. During high tide, the sea and river water are higher than the land. Flooding is our number one problem,” Tiangco stressed.

The lawmaker defended his ₱529-million request, saying flood control projects are vital for the safety, health, livelihood, education, and businesses of every Navoteño.

And unlike what some accuse, Tiangco swears he has no hand in the bidding or program of works.“I never interfere. I don’t even ask who wins the bids. I’m not a contractor — so what do I gain from that? If there’s any anomaly, I’ll be the first to complain,” he declared.

Tiangco also turned the tables on Ako Bicol Rep. Alfredo Garbin and first nominee Zaldy Co.

“₱529M was approved by the bicam, not inserted by me. I’m not even a bicam member. All I can do is request. So why was Zaldy Co able to insert a shocking ₱13.8 BILLION into districts that didn’t even ask for it?” Tiangco shot back.

He added that Ako Bicol allegedly slipped in ₱2.29B, while BHW party-list got ₱2.06B — way beyond the supposed ₱100M to ₱150M cap for party-lists.

The congressman earlier urged the House Infrastructure Committee to summon Co to explain the supposed budget insertions in 2025.