Erwin Tulfo backs independent body to probe flood control anomalies

Senate blue ribbon committee vice chairman Senator Erwin Tulfo has backed the creation of an independent body that will investigate the alleged anomalous flood control projects in the country.

“I think that that is the right thing to do—an independent group composed of the church, academe, youth representatives, retired justices, and other sectors that should be part of it,” Tulfo said Sunday in a statement.

“The doubts of our people will never go away if Congress and the Senate handle the investigation, since some lawmakers themselves are being linked to this anomaly,” he added.

Tulfo pointed out that contractors and officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) would likely be the ones attending the hearing, as members of Congress may invoke their “inter-parliamentary courtesy.”

The House Infrastructure Committee is set to begin its investigation in September.

It is composed of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, Committee on Public Accounts, and Committee on Public Works and Highways

Meanwhile, the Senate blue ribbon committee has its own investigation into the country’s flood control projects.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has disclosed that 20% of the total P545 billion budget of flood control projects was awarded to only 15 contractors, five of which have projects in almost all regions nationwide.

Tulfo said the independent body should identify the involved individuals who could face charges of plunder, graft, bribery, and other appropriate penalties.

“I support the creation of an independent investigative body for anomalies in flood control projects because this is one way we can achieve honest-to-goodness results,” Tulfo said.

“What the Senate must do is to conduct an investigation to find out why the collusion happened, how the stealing was carried out, and what the government must do—especially in terms of policy—to ensure that this does not happen again,” he added.

Accountability

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan maintained his support for the creation of an independent investigative body, saying that it should be led by former DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson and former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales.

“And dapat si Presidente, ang advise natin: Tiyakin na yung susunod na Ombudsman ang marching orders, dahil tutal umiikot si Presidente binubusisi lahat ito, dapat yung ombudsman na ia-appoint nya eh hahabulin lahat ang mga to,” Pangilinan said in a separate statement.

(We advised the President to ensure that the next Ombudsman he appoints will hold those responsible for the anomalous flood control projects accountable.)

He also condemned the government officials and contractors behind the anomalous flood control projects.

“Alam ninyo sa tuwing kalamidad, ang pinakamalaking pinsala infrastructure, agriculture, lalo na dito sa pagbabaha,” said Pangiinan, who chairs the Senate committee on agriculture, food, and agrarian reform.

(Agriculture incurs the most infrastructure damage during calamities, especially flooding.)

“So, may direktang bearing yan. Sabi ko nga tong mga to hindi pa, buhay pa sila pero yung kaluluwa nila sinusunog na sa impyerno,” he stressed. “Dapat talaga busisiin ito at parusahan tong mga sugapa. Biro nyo yun trilyon, diba?” Pangilinan said

(There is a direct bearing. These people are still alive, but their souls are in hell. This should be scrutinized, and those accountable should be held accountable. Imagine, trillion of pesos.)

Whistleblowers as ordinary or state witnesses

Meanwhile, in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB, Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said flood control whistleblowers may testify as ordinary witnesses or state witnesses.

“Ang nire-require ko ay draft affidavit,” Lacson said. “Ilagay dapat nila ang facts doon at ito ay idudulog ko sa DOJ para sila ang mag assess kung uubra ba ang statement na ito para pumasok bilang ordinaryong witness o accused na magiging state witness,” Lacson said.

(I’m requiring a draft affidavit. They should include the facts, and I will present it to the Department of Justice for them to assess if these statements can be used to qualify the person as an ordinary witness or as an accused who may turn state witness.)

For now, Lacson said his team is assessing the possible witnesses who approached his office.

“Tinitignan namin kung ano ang pakay. Kanya-kanyang motibo eh... May mga nakaharap na kami, contractors, DPWH na nagpapahiwatig na gustong makipagtulungan,” Lacson said.

(We’re assessing their motive. Some contractors and DPWH personnel expressed willingness to cooperate with us.)

In a separate statement, Senator Bong Go condemned the alleged corrupt infrastructure projects as he pointed out the gap between the 2026 budgets of DPWH and the Department of Health.

“Tingnan n’yo po ang pondo ngayon ng DOH (Department of Health) ay one-third lang po sa pondo ng DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways),” Go said.

“Kaya masakit malaman na mistulang ginagawang gatasan po yung iilang mga proyekto. Bastusan po ‘yan. Hindi lang po sa mga Pilipino kundi pati sa mga pasyente na nangangailangan po ng tulong sa hospital dahil sa kahirapan,” he added.

(DOH’s budget is one-third of DPWH’s budget, so it hurts to know that some projects were corrupted. It’s disrespectful not just to Filipinos but also to patients who need help due to poverty.)

DPWH has over P881.3 billion allocation for the next, while DOH has P320.5 billion. –KG, GMA Integrated News