The alleged “ghost project” in Baliwag, Bulacan, recently inspected by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., was not a congressional initiative but a "proposal" of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), House Infrastructure Committee co-chairperson, Rep. Terry Ridon said on Wednesday.
In an exclusive interview on DZRH's Dos Por Dos, Ridon revealed that most of the projects visted by Marcos are National Expenditure Program (NEP)-originated projects.
"Karamihan po doon sa pinuntahan ng Pangulo ay mga NEP-originated projects," said Ridon.
"Ang nagpropose po noon ay hindi Congressman o Senador. Ang nagpropose po noon ay DPWH mismo," he added.
The lawmaker further disclosed that the two projects worth P180 million in Calumpit, Bulacan, carried out by contractors Wawao and St. Timothy, was also NEP projects.
He added that one of the contractors under investigation is SYMS Construction Trading, which the President earlier called out for allegedly implementing a ghost project in Bulacan.
On August 20, Marcos inspected the ₱55-million, 220-meter flood control project in Baliwag, but expressed "anger" after discovering that the riverwall had not been constructed. Which based on DPWH records, the contruction company responsible for the said project is SYMS Construction, based in Malolos, Bulacan.
Ridon, who co-chairs the House Committee on Infrastructure, confirmed that the issue will be tackled during the joint panel’s hearing scheduled on September 2 at 9:00 a.m.
He said the inquiry will cover 15 contractors, as well as concerned agencies such as DPWH, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and the Commission on Audit (COA).
'Magalong as source person'
Meanwhile, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who earlier claimed that 67 lawmakers are involved in contracting activities and that some receive 30 percent to 40 percent kickbacks from government projects, is expected to be invited in future hearings.
“Darating din po ang araw na iyon pero hindi po sa unang hearing iyon at irerequire po natin siya na i-disclose yung 67 names na binabanggit niya na mga kongresista na kontratista. Pangalawa sino ang mga [nasa] listahan niya na mga kongresista’t o senador na tumatanggap ng 30%, 40% kickbacks mula sa mga proyekto ng gobyerno,” Ridon explained.
"Actually source person ‘yan kasi kung mayroon po siyang impormasyon, kung sino yung 67 na congressmen na mga kontratsits at kung sino ang mga tumatanggap na kontratista ta sino po ang tumatanggap ng kickback na 30% to 40% talagang valuable po ang impormasyon niya. But we’ll see we have to do it underdown kasi grave na akusasyon din ‘yon laban sa mga tao," he added.
Ridon also clarified that lawmakers who have fully divested from their businesses should not be considered contractor-legislators. However, he stressed that divestment must be “full and genuine,” and that contracting activities by relatives up to the third degree of consanguinity may still pose legal and ethical concerns.
He emphasized that all invited resource persons would be required to testify under oath before the committee and provide documents or personal knowledge to support their claims.
“Whether congressional initiative proposed po yan o NEP proposed kung naging ghost project 'yan o naging substandard kailangan makita ng committee,” Ridon stated.
Ridon also noted that Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste may be invited in future hearings following his bribery complaint involving a DPWH district engineer.
He said the committee needs to determine the contractors allegedly used as conduits to offer bribes to the congressman.
