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GMA Network
16-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Dolomite Beach inquiry eyed amid Manila flooding
A congressional inquiry on the Manila Bay Dolomite Beach Project has been proposed before the House of Representatives. Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon made the call under his House Resolution 56, saying the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), through its Chairman Don Artes, identified the Manila Bay Dolomite Beach Project as a direct contributor to the persistent flooding in the City of Manila. 'Specifically, it (Manila Bay Dolomite Beach Project) caused the blockage of three major drainage outfalls—Faura, Remedios, and Estero de San Antonio Abad—forcing rainwater to be rerouted through a sewage treatment plant incapable of handling flood volumes during heavy rains,' Ridon said. In addition, Ridon cited that the Manila Bay Dolomite Beach Project was never part of the then National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) -approved Manila Bay Rehabilitation Master Plan. The artificial beach was built during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte in 2020, The 900-meter long and 60-meter wide beach was later closed for expansion which was completed in 2022. 'As such, it was never envisioned to protect Manila Bay's coastal resources nor to prevent coastal flooding, erosion, or pollution. It is a cosmetic project masquerading as rehabilitation, and has now proven harmful to flood mitigation efforts in Manila,' Ridon said. The lawmaker said the inquiry will shed light on the following issues: Whether the project was a necessary government expense to fulfill the Supreme Court's Writ of Continuing Mandamus on Manila Bay rehabilitation; Whether it was subjected to a proper environmental impact study, especially with respect to flooding in the City of Manila; Whether its implementation aggravated flooding in adjacent areas due to the obstruction of drainage outfalls; Whether the ?389 million project cost was within standard pricing for comparable beach nourishment works; Whether criminal and administrative liability attaches to government officials involved if the project is deemed unnecessary or irrelevant to the mandamus, implemented without a proper Environment Impact Assessment, grossly overpriced, or directly responsible for worsening Manila flooding. 'It is nothing but a criminal wastage of public funds—?389 million that could have been far better spent on sewage treatment plants and other engineering interventions grounded in science and sustainability. We will undertake a full congressional inquiry, determine criminal and administrative liability, and hold every government official directly involved in the origination, planning, and implementation of this project accountable,' Ridon said. Back in June 2021, then President Duterte said the white sand in the Dolomite Beach Project needs to be replenished since the waves have wiped them out. — RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
23-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
PDP-Laban seeks manual recount of Eleksyon 2025 senatorial votes
The PDP-Laban on Monday filed a petition seeking for a manual recount of senatorial votes in recently concluded midterm elections. PDP-Laban legal counsel Atty. Israelito Torreon filed the Motion For Leave To File Supplemental Petition for Mandamus with the Supreme Court. 'What is essential is that the mandated process under our prevailing election laws be carried out, so that the truth may be known, accountability may be identified and exacted, and public confidence in the electoral process may be restored,' the PDP-Laban stated in its petition. Torreon was accompanied by singer-lawyer Jimmy Bondoc, who ran but lost in the 2025 senatorial polls. To recall, Vice President Sara Duterte claimed that there was fraud in the recent elections, saying that three more PDP bets 'won.' During an Independence Day event with Filipinos in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Duterte said she spoke to IT experts who said it was impossible that the numbers that came out in the elections were true. She urged PDP to question how the counting process was done. The two PDP-Laban bets who won in the recent midterm elections were reelectionists Christopher 'Bong' Go and Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa. Meanwhile, House member Rodante Marcoleta, who also won, was endorsed by the PDP. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.
