House InfraComm looking to have erring contractors blacklisted

The House Infrastructure Committee, which will investigate alleged anomalous flood control and other infrastructure projects, is looking to have the contractors involved blacklisted if they are proven guilty.

"Isa sa mga agenda natin dyan, mapa-blacklist. Ma-identify muna natin kung ano yung mga gumawa ng mga project na ghost at mga substandard," House Infrastructure Committee co-chair and Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua said in an online interview.

"And siyempre dapat, kung talaga namang grabe yung ginawa nila, kung ghost project eh dapat talaga ma-blacklist sila at masampahan ng kaukulang kaso kasama yung mga kanilang kakuntsaba," he added.

The InfraComm, composed of Chua's House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, Committee on Public Accounts, and Committee on Public Works and Highways, is expected to start the investigations in September.

If a member of Congress is accused of involvement, Chua recommends that the InfraComm recuse itself from the investigation.

"Kung may mali-link o may madadawit na mga kasama namin, siguro mas maganda kung mag-recuse kami," Chua said.

"Para at least huwag mabigyan ng duda yung aming imbestigasyon kung may masasangkot ng mga kasama namin sa Kongreso at mga kasama rin, mga kasama po natin sa Senado, ay tingin ko po mas maganda kung magkaroon ng independent na inquiry," he added.

House InfraComm Co-Chair and Bicol Saro Party-list Rep Terry Ridon has taken the same stand.

House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep Antonio Tinio prefers a special audit by the Commission on Audit.

"Mag-imbestiga man ang House, mag-imbestiga man ang Senado, this does not preclude yung investigation mismo na whether it's the Ombudsman or COA special audit ay kailangan pa rin gawin ang mga yan," Tinio said in an online interview. –NB, GMA Integrated News