Ridon: InfraComm to continue flood control projects probe

The House Infrastructure Committee will continue its investigation into allegedly anomalous flood control and other infrastructure projects at the same time as the investigation of the newly formed Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI).

"At this point, we are ready to proceed with yun pong mga ongoing po na mga pagdinig. Katulad ng sa Bulacan, yung Benguet, yung mga na-announce na po namin na mga pagsisiyasat," InfraComm Co-chair Representative Terry Ridon said in an interview.

Ridon, however, added that the committee is ready to share information, findings, and recommendations with the ICI.

"We are ready to work with the ICI. It is part of their mandate to work with Congress and the Senate. So we are ready to furnish all the documents, evidence, and findings, and recommendations to them. Kahit hindi po kami tapos, pwede na ho namin ibigay ito sa kanila. So makikipagtrabaho po kami with the ICI," he said.

He also stated that the committee will hold at least one more hearing and then decide whether to continue or suspend its investigation.

"Pero I think the suspension will not come anytime soon," he said.

Among the issues that Ridon wants clarified is the identity of whoever may have advised the Discayas to only name government officials allegedly involved in anomalous flood control projects from 2022 onwards.

"Someone told them kasi that the agenda kasi was just 2022 and beyond. But, obviously, the question therefore would be, who told them that the agenda should only be 2022 and beyond? Was it a senator that actually told them? Or was it a lawyer that told them that 2022 and beyond lang po yung dapat laman po ng affidavit na ito? Kasi I checked the agenda. Parang di naman ganoon. Parang di naman timeline-bound yun pong agenda," Ridon said.

"I'm telling them now as chair, give the names for 2016 to 2022. Pati yung nag-utos sa kanila ng 2022 onwards," he added.

When asked if the committee will allow the Discayas to divulge the names in an executive session, Ridon replied, "Executive session can only be undertaken if we are talking about questions of national security, state secrets. I don't think they are state secrets and national security questions pagka ho pangalan ng mga kongresista at senador na binibigyan noon ng pera ang pinag-uusapan. So, no. The answer is no. No executive session for them. They have to disclose the names. All the names. 2016 to date."

The InfraComm had issues subpoenas to Pacifico and Sarah Discaya but only Pacifico appeared before the committee in the last hearing.

Ridon said Sarah should appear in the next hearing or else she may be cited in contempt. — BM, GMA Integrated News