Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has renewed his call to bring back the death penalty, this time targeting plunder, as corruption allegations tied to flood control projects continue to hound the government.
In his Senate Bill No. 1343, Dela Rosa warned that plunder is no ordinary crime, describing it as “the enriching of oneself at the expense of the suffering of others.” He stressed that when officials entrusted with public resources abuse their power, the consequences destroy lives and opportunities.
“It is not even a simple crime, punishable by a few years in prison, or forgivable upon the payment of a fine. When our people lose their chance at good lives because of the greed of the few, the greedy few, simply, must pay with their lives,” the former police chief declared.
Citing government data, Dela Rosa pointed out that corruption linked to flood control projects from 2023 to 2025 caused an economic blow estimated between ₱42.3 billion and ₱118.5 billion—funds that could have generated up to 266,000 jobs.
The senator’s proposal comes after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. disclosed that just 15 contractors cornered nearly one-fifth of the ₱545-billion flood control budget since his administration began. Reports further allege that a politician considered the mastermind of the funding scheme takes as much as 30% of project costs, with other officials and auditors also receiving cuts.
Dela Rosa turned to social media to rally support, posting: “Yesterday, I filed SBN 1343, an act reimposing death penalty for the crime of PLUNDER. Tingnan natin sino ang haharang nito. I move for the swift passage of this law. Taongbayan, pls second my motion!!!”
