Tuesday Vargas admitted how difficult it is to celebrate her birthday while many Filipinos continue to suffer from the recent calamity that struck parts of the country.
"Gustuhin ko man maging masaya sa parating ko na birthday pero talagang ang hirap. Saglit mapapangiti ako pero hindi buo, masakit na makita ang mga Pilipino kapag may kalamidad," she posted on her Facebook page on November 5.
The comedienne questioned the lack of accountability surrounding the government's multi-billion flood control projects, particularly in Cebu, one of the areas severely affected by Typhoon Tino.
"Napakadaming kababayan natin ang nasalanta at hanggang ngayon wala pa ding nanagot sa flood control issues. 26B ang projects na sana pang pigil na baha sa Cebu pa lamang, uulitin ko po… 26 BILYON. Walang may kailangan na iisang tao lang ng 26B! Madaming skwelahan, ospital at kung ano ano pang kailangan ng bansa na sana yan ano ho, kaso naibulsa naman ng mga kurakot," she stressed.
The television host lamented how corruption continues to hinder progress, calling for justice and the return of public funds lost to misuse.
"Ang wish ko sa birthday ko ay hindi lamang ang makulong lahat ng may kasalanan, kung di IBALIK ANG PERA NG TAUMBAYAN nang mapakinabangan nating lahat. Tama na ang resilient na Pinoy! Buhay, malusog at ligtas na Pinoy naman," she remarked.
According to a report by ABS-CBN News and the ABS-CBN Research and Verification Unit, data from the Sumbong sa Pangulo website revealed that 414 flood control projects worth ₱26.7 billion were implemented across Cebu Province from 2022 to 2025.
However, incumbent Governor Pamela Baricuatro claimed that based on inspections conducted by the provincial government since she assumed office in May, most of the flood control structures in the province were either ghost projects or substandard.
"I think it's for the ICI (Independent Commission for Infrastructure) to divulge the information that we have submitted (to them). But definitely, we have seen projects here in the province na, I should say, mga ghost projects. We have seen substandard projects as well," the governor stated.