The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee commenced its investigation into the controversial flood control projects during a hearing held at the Senate Plenary today at 10 a.m.
According to a report by RH 28 Raymund Dadpaas, the investigation is being presided over by Senator Rodante Marcoleta.
Officials from various government agencies were invited to participate, including the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), as well as representatives from fifteen construction companies identified by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as having handled a significant portion of the flood control projects.
The fifteen construction companies and their representatives are as follows:
1. Mr. Alex H. Abelido, President of Legacy Construction Corporation
2. Ms. Cezarah C. Discaya, President of Alpha and Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corporation
3. Ms. Ma. Roma Angeline D. Rimando, Owner/Manager of St. Timothy Construction Corporation
4. Mr. Allan B. Quirante, Owner/Proprietor of QM Builders
5. Mr. Erni G. Baggao, Owner/Proprietor of EGB Construction Corporation
6. Mr. Eumir S. Villanueva, President of Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc.
7. Mr. Lawrence R. Lubiano, President of Centerways Construction and Development Inc.
8. Ms. Aderma Angelie D. Alcazar, President/CEO of Sunwest, Inc.
9. Mr. Edgar S. Acosta, President of Hi-Tone Construction & Development Corp.
10. Mr. Wilfredo M. Natividad, Owner/General Manager of Triple 8 Construction & Supply, Inc.
11. Mr. Romeo C. Miranda, President of Royal Crown Monarch Construction & Supplies Corp.
12. Mr. Mark Allan V. Arevalo, General Manager of Wawao Builders
13. Ms. Marjorie O. Samidan, Authorized Managing Officer of MG Samidan Construction
14. Mr. Luisito R. Tiqui, President of L.R. Tiqui Builders, Inc.
15. Mr. Ryan Willie D. Uy, Proprietor of Road Edge Trading & Development Services
As of 9:39 a.m., only three out of the 15 contractors—EGB Construction Corporation, Centerways Construction and Development Inc., and MG Samidan Construction—have confirmed their attendance at the hearing.
The other contractors either submitted affidavits or excuse letters, citing reasons such as being currently abroad.
In a previous report, Centerways Construction and Development Inc. was linked to Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero. However, Escudero denied any involvement, clarifying that the company president was merely one of his campaign donors.
Meanwhile, MG Samidan Construction, based in the Mountain Province, is under scrutiny after it was revealed that while its declared capitalization was only P250,000, it was awarded a contract worth P5 billion.
Moreover, several have argued that the investigation should be conducted by an independent third party rather than Congress. As Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri noted, the entire Congress bears responsibility for approving the P6.326-trillion national budget for 2025 despite earlier concerns raised.
