Dizon, Magalong call out greed, air frustrations amid flood control projects controversy

As hearings on the alleged corruption in flood control projects continue to chug on in the Philippines, uncovering billions of kickbacks allegedly going to the pockets of politicians, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon called out their greed.

Dizon was interviewed on "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho" after Brice Hernandez, former Assistant District Engineer of DPWH Bulacan, alleged that they had brought luggage filled with money to the home of Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co.

"I think ang first step, kailangan matakot ang mga gumagawa nito o posibleng gumawa nito," Dizon said. "Ang problema dito sa nangyari kina Mendoza, Hernandez, Alcantara, wala silang takot eh. Para ipaglantaran mo 'yung ninakaw mong pera, mag-casino ka, gumawa ka ng 100 milyon, 200 milyon, ibig sabihin nu'n wala kang takot." 

["Those who are doing this, or who might do this, need to be afraid. The problem in what happened to Mendoza, Hernandez, and Alcantara is that they had no fear. To openly display money you stole—going to casinos, flaunting 100 million, 200 million—that means you have no fear."]

He added that DPWH terminations and dismissal proceedings are ongoing.

"Administrative po na kaso agad 'yan. 'Yung 20 na kinasuhan natin initially, tatlo po doon terminated na, 'yung 17 suspended na."

["They'll face an administrative case. Of the 20 individuals we initially filed cases against, three have already been terminated, while the remaining 17 have been suspended."]

Luxury cars, properties, and other assets have also been frozen.

"Sumulat na po tayo sa LRA para ma-identify na 'yung mga bahay at lupa, condo, apartment nitong mga taong ito. Sabi ho ng Pangulo, hindi enough 'yung makasuhan, makulong. Kailangan maibalik 'yung pera," he said.

["We have already written to the LRA (Land Registration Authority) to identify the houses and lots, condos, and apartments of these people. The President said that it's not enough for them to be charged and imprisoned, the money must be returned."]

"Lahat po [ng luxury cars] ipapa-freeze na po 'yan ng AMLC. Totaling almost 500 million."

["All [of the luxury cars] will be frozen by the AMLC (Anti-Money Laundering Council), totaling almost 500 million."]

Eventually, the cars, planes, and choppers will be auctioned.

Dizon cited a project in Tondo, Manila, the Sunog Apog Pumping Station. It was started in 2017, paid fully by 2020, but still does not work to this day. It's not only useless to the community, but also poses danger to the public.

"Kasi ho eight years na raw 'yung tulay na 'yun na nakatengga pero hindi pinondohan. Instead, ang pinondohan, 'yung mga flood control na wala namang saysay."

["That bridge had supposedly been stalled for eight years but was never funded. Instead, what was funded were flood control projects that turned out to be useless."]

"Ginagawang gatasan na itong DPWH," Dizon added. "And this has been going on, Ma'am, for years. Maybe decades," he added.

["The DPWH is being used as a cash cow and this has been going on for years, maybe even decades."]

To investigate the alleged corruption in the DPWH projects, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong formed the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), where he formerly served as the Special Adviser and Investigator.

Magalong said that they found evidence against Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Elizalde "Zaldy" Co, and learned that he owns a helicopter and nine airplanes, totaling P4.7 billion.

"Very consistent din 'yung involvement niya sa katiwalian. Allegedly muna, pero mapapatunayan naman namin. Kasi talagang sa mga nakikita namin, nandoon lagi 'yung kanyang fingerprint. Kaya hintayin na lang natin siguro na ma-file 'yung kaso," Magalong said.

["His involvement in corruption is also very consistent—alleged for now, but something will be able to prove. From what we're seeing, his presence is always there. We'll just wait for the case to be filed."]

He called the DPWH projects "pocket-centric" instead of "human-centric."

Magalong admitted that his role in the ICI was a challenge.

"Napakahirap pala kasi meron akong trabahong mayor, meron akong trabahong ICI. Tapos kailangan ko rin during the hearings, nandu'n ako. Kailangan ko pumunta sa field din, investigation."

["My new role is very difficult, because I have work as a mayor, I have responsibilities with the ICI. I also need to be present during the hearings, and I still have to go to the field for the investigation."]

Baguio and Davao

Magalong also addressed the allegations that the Discaya couple has projects in Baguio including a tennis court, and assured that a third party audit is being conducted.

"Sabi ko, una 2022 tapos back ang namili diyan, hindi po ako namili diyan. Hindi ko nga alam na 'yung St. Gerard na 'yan ay Discaya 'yan. Kaya siguro imbestigahan na lang ng isang third party," he said.

["I said, first of all, in 2022, I wasn't the one who bought it. I didn't even know that 'St. Gerard' was linked to Discaya. So, maybe it's best if a third party investigates it."]

He added that the court has minor defects like the placing of the pavement removes the paint.

"The rest, 'yung structure talagang matibay, magandang pagkakagawa," Magalong said. "Kaya lang nagiging political issue lang at ginagawang distraction. Tanungin na rin nila si Discaya. Dahil siya mismo nagsasabi na, 'Alam mo sa Baguio talagang hindi mo ma-corrupt 'yung mga tao.'" 

["The rest of the structure is really strong and well-made. The only problem is that it's becoming a political issue and is being used as a distraction. They should also ask Discaya. Because they even said, 'You know, in Baguio, you really can't corrupt the people.'"]

Dizon said that they will also scrutinize the flood control projects in Davao as these have large funds.

They won't stop there. They are determined to check all flood control projects across the Philippines for defects, problems, and anomalies.

Recently, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. removed the budget for the flood control projects and transferred it to the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Magalong said he's in favor of this, as long as the budget doesn't fall on congressmen's hands.

"And that's better off being used at least sa mga direktang makakatulong sa mga kababayan natin. Tingin ko 'yun ang gusto, kaya 'yung sinabi niya na P60 billion dalhin na lang sa PhilHealth, para at least 'yun, sa zero balance billing, diretso 'yun. Walang mananakaw doon kasi diretsong subsidy 'yan sa mga kababayan natin."

["And that's better off being used, at least, for things that directly help our countrymen. I think that's what he wants, which is why he said that P60 billion should just be transferred to PhilHealth, so that it goes straight to zero balance billing. Nothing will be stolen there because that is a direct subsidy to our people."]

With this, Dizon personally plans to focus on the current flood control projects issue.

"Tingin ko ang gagawin ko na lang ngayon, is sisiguraduhin lang natin na 'yung mga hindi gumaganang tulad nito o 'yung mga substandard na nakita na namin all over, ayusin na lang muna 'yun."

["I think what I'll do now is just ensure that the ones that aren't working, like this one, or the substandard ones we've already seen all over, we'll fix those first."]

Magalong added that there could be more names revealed to be involved in the corruption, as their investigations are continuous.

On Friday, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong resigned as special adviser to the President's Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI).

This came after Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro announced that President Bongbong Marcos had directed the legal team to look into a potential conflict of interest in Magalong's appointment as an ICI special adviser while concurrently serving as mayor of Baguio City. —JCB, GMA Integrated News