Lawmakers want names, accountability over flood control projects

Will contractors of anomalous government flood control projects face charges?

House Deputy Minority Leader Antonio Tinio of ACT Teachers party-list asked the question on Monday after President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. named the top 15 contractors who bagged government projects involving flood control.

The President, however, did not identify individuals behind the contracting firms.

“What he said was just preliminary, there were not many details. It still remains to be seen if this will amount to something,” Tinio told reporters.

“Siyempre, ang pinakasukatan naman, meron bang makakasuhan? Mapapanagot ba? Whether it is a legislator, a Malacañang official, or contractor? Secondly, what would happen to flood control projects under the 2026 budget where the lion’s share of the DPWH’s budget goes?” Tinio added.

(The real measure of this is, will those liable face charges? Will they be held accountable?)

House Committee on Public Accounts chairperson Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro party-list, for his part, said his committee’s probe into the government’s flood control projects next week will invite Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who has alleged that some members of Congress are involved in the questionable projects.

“Mayor Magalong has been alleging that lawmakers are pocketing kickback off government projects. He can attend our probe and we will give him the invitation, provided that ibibigay niya ho ‘yung mga pangalan ng mga inaakusahan po niya ng mga kongresista,” Ridon said in a Super Radyo DZBB interview.

(Mayor Magalong should be able to name the lawmakers he is talking about.)

“He will have to do it under oath,” he added.

Ridon then reiterated his previous announcement that the House probe into the government projects will be fair and square, regardless if there is skepticism from the public.

“People will say what they want to say about how we will conduct the hearings. That is part of our job. That is the burden of leadership. Pero gagawin natin ang tingin natin dapat kailangan gawin para maipakita na fair and objective ito pong gagawing pagdinig na ito,” Ridon added.

(But we will do what we believe must be doone to show that the hearing is fair and objective.)

In a separate statement, Navotas Representative Tobias Tiangco said the President’s revelations that 6,021 flood-projects of the government worth over P350 billion lack basic project details are alarming, if not unacceptable.

“This raises serious questions about fairness, transparency, and potential corruption in project implementation. As representative of Navotas, a city that is below sea level, I know firsthand what’s at stake. Our people endure rising waters, damaged homes, disrupted livelihoods, and threats to health and safety,” he said.

“Every peso wasted or misused on flood control is a betrayal of communities like ours. We cannot and will not allow critical infrastructure to become a playground for inefficiency or worse, corruption. I fully support the President’s directive to audit and clean up these programs, and I urge all agencies, contractors, and local officials to cooperate without delay,” Tiangco added.

'Name names'

In a separate interview, Kamanggagawa Party-list Representative Elijah San Fernando called on those who have alleged lawmakers' involvement in flood control projects to name names.

"Sa mga nagsasabi noon, nais namin na malaman sino ba talaga itong mga congressman na ito. Kasi hanggat hindi pinapangalanan yung mga congressman na sinasabing kontratista rin, habambuhay na magtatanong tayo sino ba talaga yung mga yon. At wala tayong mapapanagot dito," San Fernando said in an interview.

(To those making these allegations, we want to know who these congressmen are. Because while these congressmen involved in contracts are not named, we will forever be asking who they are. And nobody will be held accountable.)

"Nang sa gayon, magkaroon din ng avenue para makapagpaliwanag itong mga contractor at kung sinuman ang sangkot sa bilyong-bilyong pondo na nawawala dahil sa palpak ng mga flood control projects," San Fernando added.

(It will also provide an avenue for these contractors to explain and whoever else is involved in the billions of funds lost due to these failed flood control projects.)

Earlier, the Kamanggagawa Party-list filed a resolution for the House of Representatives to look into the flood control projects.

San Fernando said he also co-authored a resolution for an open bicameral conference committee process, not just for the deliberations on the proposed 2026 National Budget but also for all proposed bills and resolution in the House.

"That is a big step towards ensuring transparency and accountability. At titiyakin natin na bawat pondo na inilalagak sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno, gagawin ng Kongreso ang kanyang trabaho. In fact, the power of the purse nasa House of Representatives. At dapat gawin ng Kongreso ang kanyang trabaho para tiyakin yung transparency and accountability sa bawat piso na inilalagak dito sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno," he said.

(And we will ensure that with every amount given to government agencies, the Congress will do its job. In fact, the power of the purse is with the House of Representatives. And Congress must do its job to ensure transparency and accountability for every peso given to these agencies.) — BM/KG, GMA Integrated News