Billions After the Win: When Power and Public Projects Collide

Rappler has released a series of investigative reports examining how family-owned firms linked to party-list lawmaker Edwin Gardiola secured billions of pesos worth of infrastructure projects following his election to Congress.

Based on procurement data, corporate records, and public documents, the reports show that companies connected to the lawmaker’s family became major recipients of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) contracts after he assumed office.

While winning public contracts does not automatically imply wrongdoing, governance experts stress that the timing and concentration of awards demand scrutiny, especially when lawmakers participate in budget processes that shape where public funds flow.

The issue underscores a long-standing challenge in Philippine politics: how to prevent conflicts of interest when political power and business interests overlap.

Supporters argue that contractors still go through bidding processes. Critics counter that transparency is weakened when public officials or their families appear too close to the same money funded by taxpayers.

Beyond legality, the heart of the issue is public trust.

Infrastructure projects are meant to serve communities — roads, bridges, and flood control — not reinforce political advantage. Investigative journalism plays a crucial role in ensuring these questions are asked openly, documented properly, and discussed responsibly.

As more records surface, the public is left with a question that goes beyond personalities:

When power wins elections, who truly benefits after the victory?