Magalong: Legal experts, ex-PNP execs should lead flood projects probe

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong on Tuesday said legal experts, such as former justices, or past officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) should lead the independent inquiry on anomalous flood control projects.

"Unang-una, ang mga nai-involve kasi allegedly our members of Congress. Kaya ano naman ang moral ascendancy nila para mag-imbestiga. Just like what I recommended before doon sa Mamasapano incident, sabi ko nga bakit hindi isang retired justice who is capable of managing," said Magalong in an interview on Balitanghali when asked about having a former magistrate or an ex-PNP official take on the job.

(First and foremost, those allegedly involved are members of our Congress. So, what moral ascendancy do they have to investigate? Just like what I recommended before in the Mamasapano incident, I said, why not a retired justice who is capable of managing.) 

"Ang pinakamaganda is someone who can interpret the law, apply the necessary laws, and, at the same time, the good idea of how the bidding process is being conducted pati na rin 'yung mga technical aspects ng infrastructure, kahit papaano madali niyang pag-aralan," he added. 

(The best scenario would be to have someone who can interpret the law, apply the necessary laws, and at the same time has a good understanding of how the bidding process is conducted, as well as the technical aspects of infrastructure, which they can easily study, if needed.) 

Aside from knowledge of the law and management skills, Magalong added that those who will eventually be tasked to handle the probe must be physically fit to conduct physical inspections. 

Magalong earlier said he was waiting to be called to Congress after he said lawmakers receiving payoffs from infrastructure projects, including flood control programs.

This came after Bicol Saro Representative Terry Ridon challenged him to show proof that would back up his claims that some congressmen are supposedly receiving 30% to 40% kickbacks in government projects.

Magalong, who is a retired police general, has also volunteered to lead the investigation on the flood projects. 

However, he said he just wanted to "send a strong message na dapat third party, independent body ang mag-imbestiga at hindi mismo 'yung akusado o 'yung mga involved ang magi-imbestiga." 

(...send a strong message that a third party, independent body should investigate, and not the accused or those involved themselves.") 

Malacañang earlier called on Magalong to submit his information on anomalous flood control projects to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. 

Magalong later said he would oblige the Palace's request.

In the same interview on Tuesday, Magalong said he respects the Palace's suggestion: "Well, kung ayan naman ang desisyon nila, I would respect it kasi sila naman ang makakapag-decide niyan, hindi naman ako. Hindi ko naman ini-insist 'yung sarili ko."

(Well, if that's their decision, I would respect it because they're the ones who can decide on that, not me. I'm not insisting my position on the matter.) 

Earlier in the day, the Senate blue ribbon committee ordered the issuance of subpoenas against private contractors that failed to attend the initial public hearing into the supposed anomalous flood control projects. — VDV, GMA Integrated News