Inirekomenda ng Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) at ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) sa Office of the Ombudsman na imbestigahan para sa posibleng pagsasampa ng kasong plunder laban kay dating Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co at pito pang kongresista kaugnay ng bilyon-bilyong pisong infrastructure projects nila mula 2016 hanggang 2024.

Sa siyam na pahinang joint referral, hiniling din ng ICI sa Ombudsman na magsagawa pa ng mas malalim na imbestigasyon dahil sa posibleng paglabag ng mga mambabatas sa Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, Government Procurement Reform Act o New Government Procurement Act, at Article VI, Section 14 ng Konstitusyon.

Tinawag ni ICI chairperson Andres Reyes Jr. ang mga kongresistang kasama sa referral bilang mga “cong-tractors,” dahil umano sa paglabag nila sa Code of Conduct for Government Officials at Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, at iba pa.

“These so-called cong-tractors are those members of Congress or their partners or family members who own construction firms that receive project awards or obtain contracts from the DPWH,” ani Reyes.

Bukod kay Co, na sinasabing may-ari ng FS Co. Builders and Supply, kabilang sa mga respondent ang apat na district representatives at tatlong party-list lawmakers. Ang mga mambabatas at ang construction firms na konektado sa kanila ay sina:

  • 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

Ayon kay Reyes, base sa mga ebidensiyang nakalap ng ICI, posibleng may iba pang nilabag na batas ang mga mambabatas.

“Members of Congress are barred from having a financial interest, directly or indirectly, in any government contract, franchise or special privilege during their term of office,” saad ng opisyal.

 “They are also prohibited from intervening in government matters for their own personal gain or where their office could influence the outcome,” dagdag ni Reyes.

Tiwala naman si DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon sa lakas ng kanilang referral sa Ombudsman dahil suportado umano ito ng mga dokumentadong ebidensiya.

“These are based on SEC records,” ani Dizon sa press conference, patungkol sa mga dokumento na nakuha mula sa Securities and Exchange Commission, na nagpapakita ng kaugnayan ng mga mambabatas sa mga construction firm.

“These are individuals who are listed in the construction companies’ General Information Sheet…while others have immediate relatives who are listed in the (GIS) or beneficial owners of the construction company,” dagdag ni Dizon.

Samantala, itinanggi nina Ang at Lara ang alegasyon, at handa silang humarap sa imbestigasyon.

“My conscience is clear. I am confident that I will be able to clear my name soon. My resolve for the truth to come out is stronger and clearer. I am ready to face this case in the proper forum,” ani Ang sa pahayag.

“In my three years in public service, I have never used my position in the government for my own interest and to profit in any way. I hold the trust of the Ilonggos strongly, and will never betray the faith of my kasimanwas in me as their representative since 2022,” dagdag niya.

Itinuturing naman ni Lara na magiging daan ang naturang referral sa pag-iimbestiga bilang “opportunity to address the allegations before a proper forum.”

Iginiit ni Lara na matagal na siyang nag-divest mula sa JLL Pulsar bago tumakbo sa posisyon at hindi na raw ito sumali sa government projects mula nang mahalal siya.

“We trust that the truth will prevail,” anang mambabatas.

Sinisikap pa ng GMA News Online na makuha ang reaksyon ng iba pang mambabatas.

Ayon kay Reyes, maaari pang madagdagan ang pangalan ng mga mambabatas na isasama nila sa susunod na mga linggo..— Joahna Lei Casilao/Llanesca T. Panti/FRJ GMA Integrated News