Apart from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), a lawmaker is also pushing for the Commission on Audit (COA) to explain the flood control project anomalies.
RH Milky Rigonan on Monday, August 25, reported that Bicol Saro Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon stated the COA should explain the reason behind the existence of “ghost” projects, adding that such projects were all given budgets.
Ridon, who is also the co-chair of the House Tri-Committee on Infrastructure, wants the anomalies and irregularities on flood control projects investigated, stressing the millions of pesos allocated for it.
The solon expressed his disappointment, stating that DPWH projects are either a failure or nonexistent. With this, Ridon assured that the committee’s investigation would be “evidence-driven,” although several of their colleagues in the House are implicated in the controversy.
He also vowed that they would hold the individuals involved in the said projects accountable.
Last week, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said he was “very angry” after seeing that the 220-meter flood control project in Baliwag, Bulacan, had yet to be constructed.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a social media post that official receipts proved that the DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office had paid over ₱55 million to SYMS Construction Trading for the flood control project in Barangay Piel, Baliwag, Bulacan.
Because of this, Marcos said that the officials who authorized and conspired with the project will be suspended and charged for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents.
