MANILA — Alleged corruption in the country’s multi-billion-peso flood control projects will take center stage on Tuesday, August 19, as the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee begins its probe into questionable contracts that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself flagged as highly concentrated among a few favored firms.
Panel chairman Sen. Rodante Marcoleta admitted the inquiry will be a daunting task, “considering the enormity of the multi-billion projects, and the complexity of untangling the web of corruption within the public works system.”
He emphasized that the probe will not spare government officials suspected of colluding with contractors. “Sabihin n’yo kung magkano binibigay n’yo sa mga taong gobyerno para hindi kayo ang madidikdik d’yan,” Marcoleta warned.
The senator also underscored the human cost of substandard projects, noting how entire communities continue to suffer from flooding. He appealed to the public to support the Senate’s investigation.
Marcos earlier disclosed that a significant portion of the government’s flood control funds had been cornered by only a handful of contractors.
“This is another disturbing assessment, statistic: 20% of the entire P545 billion budget napunta lang sa 15 na contractor. Sa 15 na contractor na ‘yan, lima sa kanila ay may kontrata sa buong Pilipinas. Keep going. Ayan. Ito na ‘yung listahan,” the President said on Monday as he launched a transparency website on flood control projects.
Asked if these contractors were connected to sitting officials, Marcos said the matter remains under review.
In his last State of the Nation Address, the President vowed accountability for those involved in anomalous flood control projects./PN
