Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa was momentarily left speechless after contractor Sara Discaya of Alpha and Omega Construction admitted that her firm began handling Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) flood control projects in 2016.

During the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Monday, September 1, Dela Rosa asked Discaya when her company started engaging with the DPWH. Discaya initially said they began joining biddings in 2012 while previously working with local governments.

“Sometime in 2012, we started with DPWH. We started with joining biddings. Prior to that, we were with local government,” she said.

But when pressed on the year they specifically began undertaking flood control projects, Discaya replied, “2016 onwards.”

What’s with the silence?

Senator Dela Rosa, an ally of the Duterte’s, was caught off guard by the response of Discaya, which coincided with the start of the Duterte administration.

In March 2022 it was reported that 13,917 flood control projects were completed under the Duterte administration.

Flood control in Davao

During an interview with Sen. Dela Rosa in DZRH's Balansyado program on September 1, the senator asserted that flood control project in Davao should not be put in the topic and just focus with the issues of flood control in Luzon.

"Nandito ang baha sa Luzon, tapos sa Davao ka mag imbestiga?" he said.

"Napakahalata na idadawit na naman ang mga Duterte dito sa ganyang klaseng direksyon," he added

The senator also gave his manifestation over the flood control projects in Davao, saying "Nakikita ko 'yan. Solid na solid ang pagkakagawa."

Meanwhile, a report by Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) revealed that Discaya-linked firms secured 421 government projects worth P31 billion.

Discaya, however, denied allegations of ghost projects, insisting that all awarded projects had been implemented.