St. Timothy hasn't reached out despite Marcos seeking explanation — Palace

Malacañang said Wednesday that St. Timothy Construction Corporation has not reached out despite the call of President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. for the firm to explain the failed flood control project in Calumpit, Bulacan.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said at a briefing that Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manny Bonoan informed them that the contractor has not reached out yet. 

''Una sa tanong ay tinanong po natin si Secretary Bonoan, hindi pa po nagri-reach out ang St. Timothy,'' Castro said. 

(We asked Secretary Bonoan and he said St. Timothy has not reached out yet.) 

Meanwhile, asked about the 15 contractors, which supposedly have links to lawmakers, Castro said this would all be probed as she ensured that they will be held liable for their actions. 

''At patungkol naman po doon sa mga top 15 contractors na diumano ay may kaugnayan sa mga senador, katulad ni Senator Bong Go, paiimbestigahan naman po ito. Katulad ng sinabi ng Pangulo, malapit man, kaibigan man, malapit sa kaniyang puso, kung nakakasama sa mga anomalyang katulad nito, ito po ay paiimbestigahan at pananagutin ang dapat managot,'' she said. 

(Regarding the 15 contractors, which supposedly have links to senators including Senator Bong Go, these will be investigated. Just like what the President said, even his friends and allies, if proven involved in these anomalies, will be probed and held liable over their actions.) 

In a manifestation, Go said the insinuation that he was personally involved or had benefited in some projects was “old, recycled and malicious accusations.”

“I observe delicadeza at iyon lang po ang puhunan ko sa mundong ito, ang aking pangalan. Alam niyo naman po uso ang name dropping, yung ibang kamag-anak natin yun pa ang nagpapa-VIP, yun pa ang nagpapa-importante,” Go said. 

“At sa tinatagal-tagal ko na pong paninilbihan sa gobyerno, isa lang po ang maipagmamalaki ko, I observe delicadeza, ‘yan po ang ginagawa namin noon pa,” he added. 

As a lawmaker, Go said he is not involved in flood control projects. 

Castro also mentioned that the Department of Public Works and Highways, under the leadership of Secretary Manny Bonoan, did not receive any flood master plan from then-DPWH chief Mark Villar.

GMA News Online reached the offices of Senators Go and Villar for their comment on Castro's latest remarks. Both camps have yet to reply.

Last week, Marcos sought explanation from St. Timothy Construction Corporation as regards to its supposed failed flood control project in Calumpit, Bulacan.

This, as Marcos conducted a site inspection of the Rehabilitation of the River Protection Structure in Barangay Bulusan following his revelation that Bulacan province has the most flood control projects with 668.

Marcos said he has learned that no dredging or desiltation has happened in the area as part of the flood control project. 

GMA News Online has reached out to St. Timothy Construction Corporation regarding the matter but it has yet to reply as of posting time. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News