House to submit to accountability processes amid probe on flood control mess

House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III on Thursday assured that the lower chamber will continue to serve the public and submit to the government’s accountability processes amid the probe on some House members in relation to the flood control controversy.

“Anuman ang mangyari, nananatiling nakatuon ang Kapulungan ng mga Kinatawan sa tungkulin nitong maglingkod sa bayan. Ang pananagutan ay bahagi ng pagiging lingkod-bayan, at ang lahat ng miyembro – iniimbestigahan man o hindi – ay handang makipagtulungan sa anumang proseso habang patuloy na ginagampanan ang kanilang papel bilang mambabatas,” Dy said in a statement. 

(Whatever happens, the House of Representatives remains focused on its duty to serve the nation. Accountability is part of being a public servant, and all members – whether under investigation or not – are ready to cooperate with any process while continuously fulfilling their role as legislators.) 

“Sa huli, ang kapakanan ng sambayanang Pilipino ang ating pangunahing prayoridad, at gagawin natin ang lahat ng kailangan upang paglingkuran sila nang tama at tapat,” he added. 

(Ultimately, the welfare of the Filipino people is our primary priority, and we will do everything necessary to serve them correctly and honestly.) 

Dy made the remarks after the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) recommended that the Ombudsman investigate former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and seven House members for possible plunder and bribery in connection with billions of pesos worth of infrastructure projects from 2016 to 2024.

Aside from Co, who reportedly owns FS Co. Builders and Supply, the other respondents include four district representatives and three party-list lawmakers: 

• Uswag Ilonggo party-list Rep. James Ang, Jr. - IBC International Builders Corporation; Allencon Development Corporation
• CWS party-list Rep. Edwin Gardiola - Newington Builders, Inc. (formerly Gardiola Construction); Lourel Development Corporation; S-Ang General Construction & Trading, Inc.
• Cagayan 3rd District Rep. Joseph Lara - JLL Pulsar Construction Corp.
• Surigao Del Norte 1st District Rep. Francisco Matugas - Boometrix Development Corp.
• Pusong Pinoy party-list Rep. Jernie Jett Nisay - JVN Construction and Trading
• Bulacan 2nd District Rep. Augustina Dominique Pancho - CM Pancho Construction
• Tarlac 3rd District Rep. Noel Rivera - Tarlac 3-G Construction & Development Corporation

Earlier, Ang, Lara, and Gardiola disputed the allegations and expressed their readiness to be investigated.

“Mula noong unang araw ng ating panunungkulan bilang Speaker, binigyang-diin natin na igagalang ng Kapulungan ang mandato ng ICI at makikipagtulungan tayo nang walang alinlangan sa lahat ng imbestigasyong nito,” Dy said.

(Since the first day of our term as Speaker, we emphasized that the House will respect the mandate of the ICI and we will cooperate without hesitation in all its investigations.)

“Naniniwala tayo na ang katotohanan ay hindi dapat ikinukubli at ang mga may pananagutan ay dapat managot,” he added.

(We believe that the truth should not be concealed and those who are accountable should be held responsible.) — JMA, GMA Integrated News