Blue Ribbon panel cites in contempt contractors absent anew in hearing

The Senate blue ribbon committee cited in contempt Monday contractors who were earlier summoned but failed to attend again the hearing.

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa made the motion which was seconded by Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada. 

Panel chairperson Senator Rodante Marcoleta approved the motion “in preparation for the eventual issuance of a warrant of arrest."

According to the committee secretary, a subpoena was served as early as August 22 against the heads of the construction companies who failed to attend the initial public hearing. 

Some presidents and owners of the construction companies were late in the hearing and arrived after the motion to cite them in contempt was approved.

So far, only Hi-Tone Construction & Development Corp. president Edgar Acosta is not physically present but he sent a representative instead. 

Presidents, owners, and managers of the following construction companies, on the other hand, are in attendance: 

• Legacy Construction Corporation
• Alpha and Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corporation
• St. Timothy Construction Corporation
• QM Builders
• EGB Construction Corporation
• Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc.
• Centerways Construction and Development Inc.
• Sunwest, Inc.
• Triple 8 Construction & Supply, Inc.
• Royal Crown Monarch Construction & Supplies Corp.
• Wawao Builders
• MG Samidan Construction
• L.R. Tiqui Builders, Inc.
• Road Edge Trading & Development Services

On August 19, the Senate blue ribbon committee ordered the issuance of subpoenas against private contractors that failed to attend the initial public hearing into the questionable flood control projects in the country. 

Also present in the hearing on Monday is former Department of Public Works and Highways secretary Manuel Bonoan.

Bonoan’s resignation is effective September 1, 2025, according to Malacañang.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier disclosed that 20% of the total P545 billion budget of flood control projects was awarded to only 15 contractors. Five of these 15 contractors, he said, have projects in almost all regions nationwide.  —AOL, GMA Integrated News