Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said on Friday, that he is ready to face a congressional investigation should the House of Representatives launch a probe into alleged getting kickbacks and irregularities involving infrastractures and flood control projects funded by lawmakers.
"Ipatawag na lang nila ako pero maganda rin siguro na ipatawag din o imbitahin din nila si Presidente," he said in an interview with DZRH's Dos Por Dos program on August 1.
This was in response to Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon’s challenge on Thursday for Magalong to present evidence to back his claims of corruption in infrastructure projects.
Magalong said his information came from credible and principled lawmakers in Congress. However, he admitted that gathering solid proof may be difficult because allegedly involved politicians often leave no paper trail.
"Talagang mahirap mag-imbestiga na madetermine mo yung link with the politicians kasi nga karamihan jan wala namang pinipirmahan. Pero kung magsasalita 'yung kontraktor, kasi makikita mo kaagad," he said.
"Doon pa lang sa ebidensya at mga documents tapos pupuntahan mo yung lugar, makikita mo talaga. Tama yung sinabi ni Presidente, yung iba palpak, yung iba guni-guni lang, yung iba gumuho na," Magalong added.
Supporting Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson’s earlier call for an impartial probe, Magalong emphasized the need for an independent investigating body to ensure credibility in the results.
"Siguro maniniwala ako kung yung mga matitino ang mag-iimbestiga. Pero kung yung mga pasimuno jan at yung mga kasabwat, ay kumbaga parang kriminal din sinabi mo o ikaw na mag-imbestiga dun sa krimen mo," Magalong emphasized.
In line with this, Magalong volunteered to lead the investigation himself, provided that the Philippine National Police (PNP) would be placed under his operational control and would only take orders from President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
"Kung puwede nga, mag-volunteer nga ako kung gusto nila mag-vo-volunteer pa ako. Basta importante rin ay idikit nila sa akin yung PNP at we will take only orders from the President," Magalong said.
Magalong: Lawmakers' kickbacks in infra projects reach up to 40%
Magalong claimed that Marcos may have been aware of these issues, which is why he raised the matter in his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA).
He believes the president should also be invited to testify if the House proceeds with the investigation.
Citing information he received, Magalong said lawmakers allegedly receive kickbacks ranging from 25 to 40 percent from contractors involved in infrastructure projects.
He added that this does not include the separate fees contractors reportedly pay just to be included in the list of approved projects.
"For fact, yung mga impormasyon na natatanggap ko galing din sa matitino. Anyway, yung lumalabas jan ay mga 25–40%. Yung iba diyan talagang sobrang kaswapangan na talagang 40% at 'yung iba pa diyan ay talagang magugulat ka kasi meron pa pala silang mga project list na kailangan yung mga kontraktor na gustong magkaroon ng access dun sa project list nila. Kailangan magbayad sila ng 2 million, non-refundable iyon. Kaya makakuha ka man o hindi, bayad ka pa rin," he reiterated.
The mayor also stressed the importance of convincing contractors and engineers to come forward and testify if the government is serious about holding corrupt officials accountable.
"Kailangan kumbinsihin sila na magsalita na kayo. Alangan namang kayo lang yung makukulong. Eh paano naman yung nakinabang nang husto diyan?," he emphasized.
Magalong further criticized some lawmakers, saying their priorities appear to be self-serving rather than focused on the welfare of their constituents and addressing the needs of the people they were elected to serve.
When asked if he had knowledge of corruption in the Senate, Magalong said his information mostly pertains to the House of Representatives, noting that several members there have already been “dismantled.”
"Kakaiba ang level ng korapsyon na nangyayari dito ngayon," Magalong pertaining to lower chamber.
This came after renewed calls for transparency and accountability in government-funded projects amid growing public scrutiny over the efficiency and integrity of flood mitigation efforts, especially following recent severe typhoons that caused widespread flooding despite the billions spent on infrastructure.
It can be recalled that Marcos directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to compile a database of all completed and ongoing flood control projects implemented over the past three years of his administration.
Meanwhile, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said in a separate interview on Balansyado that they are already in the process of preparing a process of preparing a comprehensive list for submission, following President Marcos' recommended that the findings be made publicly.
