Magalong to submit docs on alleged flood control corruption to Marcos

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong on Friday said he will forward documents on the alleged corruption in flood control projects to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. 

“Oo naman,” Magalong said in an Unang Balita interview when asked about Malacañang’s call for him to submit his information on anomalous flood control projects to the President.

(Of course.)

“Nagsalita na si [Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro ] na sinabi na I can get in touch with the President anytime. Inaayos lang namin yung mga dokumento para yung maitu-turn over,” he added.

(Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro has already said that I can get in touch with the President anytime. We are just arranging the documents so that they can be turned over.)

The House of Representatives is planning to conduct a probe into the alleged corruption in flood control projects. However, Magalong said he had information from contractors that some lawmakers supposedly received kickbacks worth up to 40% of a project’s budget.

Due to corruption, Magalong pointed out that only 30% of the budget was left for the actual flood control project, resulting in substandard quality.

Magalong stressed that a third party should lead the investigation into the anomalous flood control projects. According to him, he is open to leading the independent committee for the probe.

“Yes, kasi nga nag-volunteer ako, di ba. Kaya lang, alam mo ang intensyon ko doon just to emphasize na kailangan third party ang mag-imbestiga, independent body,” he said.

(Yes, because I volunteered, right? It's just that, you know my intention there, just to emphasize that a third party needs to investigate, an independent body.)

“Pero nagsalita rin naman na si Usec. Castro na hindi naman nila ako kailangan. Kaya na raw nila yun,” he added.

(But Usec. Castro also said that they don't need me. They can handle it.)

Instead of having a lead investigator on the probe, Castro on Thursday said it would be better if Magalong would directly present what he knows to the President.

''Kung anuman po ang maitutulong ni Mayor Magalong, mas maganda po na ito ay mailahad niya sa Pangulo at hindi naman po siguro kinakailangan pang magkaroon ng isang magli-lead sa probe dahil nga may mekanismo na po at sistema na ibinigay ang ating Pangulo,'' Castro said.

(Whatever Mayor Magalong can offer, it would be better if he can state it to the President, and also, maybe a lead investigator is no longer needed since the President already mentioned a mechanism for this investigation.)

''Kung anuman po ang mayroon siya, kung ito po ay kumpleto ay maaari niya po itong maisumite agad-agad sa ating Pangulo para iyong sinasabi po nilang 67 congressmen at mukhang sila ay identified na ni Mayor Magalong hindi po ba mas magandang maibigay na niya ang report na ito sa ating Pangulo?'' she added. 

(Whatever information he has, if this is already complete, he can submit it to the President, including the 67 congressmen who are allegedly involved. It seems that they were already identified, so don't you think it would be better if the report will be given to the President?)

On Monday, Marcos disclosed that 20% of the total P545 billion budget of flood control projects was awarded to only 15 contractors. He called the situation "disturbing."

Marcos, during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 28, issued a stern warning to government personnel who steal public funds, such as those for flood control projects, even going as far saying, “Mahiya naman kayo.” 

(Have some shame.)  —Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News