Nobody can stop me from investigating flood control scam —Andaya

House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya on Thursday said no one could stop him from uncovering the anomalies in the so-called flood control scam and the other anomalous practices of Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno.

In a statement, Andaya admitted that he only wanted to serve as House Majority Leader for six months, as he believes the job is "forced labor."

"Many would give their arm and leg for this position. I see it, however, as a burden. First in, last out ka sa session. Ang consuelo lang, in the past six months, the House production of laws was high, in the hundreds," Andaya said.

"Gusto ko na nga ma-relieve ng duties as majority leader noon pa," he added.

Andaya, who previously served as budget secretary, was installed to his current position following the election of former President now Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last July.

He said that he "begged off a hundred times" and even hid when the position was offered to him.

Andaya said even recommended Deputy Speaker Fredenil Castro to be majority leader.

"Any taker for this position, I will owe him great deal. Tutal, Congress will go on election recess from February to June. There is no need for Majority Leader when Congress is in hibernation. I will be the first to vote that I be relieved," Andaya said.

"Nobody, however, can stop me from pursuing the investigation on the flood control scam and other anomalous budget practices under Secretary Diokno. I will unmask his conspirators, in and out of Congress," he added.

It was Andaya who initiated the probe on the supposed budget anomalies in the 2019 as well as the the allegedly questionable insertions of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in this year's appropriations.

Andaya alleged that Diokno has a hand in these alleged anomalous transactions of the supposed favored contractor CT Leoncio Construction and Trading in Sorsogon, and has repeatedly mentioned that there are other Cabinet officials who are part of this scheme in the Bicol region.

But during the House Committee on Rules hearing in Naga City last week, Andaya claimed that CT Leoncio Construction and Trading was only a front contractor, and that the firm of Diokno's in-laws, Aremar Construction Corp., is the one that bags contracts from the winning bidders.

Apart from this, Andaya also alleged that the DBM also inserted P385-million worth of projects supposedly for flood control in Casiguran, Sorsogon, which he believes is where the "parked funds" to be used for the 2019 elections are hidden. —Erwin Colcol/NB, GMA News