Statement of House Speaker Bojie Dy on Flood Control Investigation in PH
House Speaker Bojie Dy expressed that the flood control probe is best done by the independent commission created by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Amid the flood control mess in the Philippines, Pres. Bongbong Marcos ordered the creation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure or ICI. It is tasked to investigate the infrastructure projects of the government.
Marcos Jr. formed an independent probe team with the power to move for the seizure of assets and the issuance of a subpoena. The ICI also has the power to investigate the violators of graft and corruption laws. Amid the flood control mess, both the Senate and the House of Representatives also opened investigations on the flood control issue. However, several senators and congressmen are hurled with corruption allegations.
During a Senate flood probe, controversial contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya presented a joint affidavit that contained accusations against several government officials for allegedly receiving kickback from the flood control projects awarded to their firms. They named the following:
- Former House Speaker and Leyte Congressman Martin Romualdez
- Quezon City Cong. Arjo Atayde
- Pasig Cong. Roman Romulo
- Marikina Cong. Marcy Teodoro
- Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co
According to the Discayas, then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Rep. Zaldy Co allegedly received a 30% kickback from the flood control projects. Both Romualdez and Co denied the accusations of the contractors. During a House flood probe, Mr. Discaya admitted that he never had a direct transaction with the Speaker.
Despite the support of the House members for his stay in the top post in the lower chamber, presidential cousin and Leyte Cong. Martin Romualdez resigned from being the House speaker. According to him, he decided to step down from the top post in the chamber so the Independent Commission for Infrastructure can fully and freely exercise their mandate.
Romualdez is replaced by Isabela Representative and now House Speaker Bojie Dy. He previously revoked the Travel Clearance of Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co and ordered him to return to the Philippines immediately.
Recently, House Speaker Bojie Dy spoke on the flood control probe amid the corruption issues. Based on a report on GMA News, the House Chief stressed that the investigation is best done by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure or ICI.
“Mas makakabuti na ipasa na sa ICI,” he said.
While House Speaker Bojie Dy has just announced that the flood control probe is best left to the concern of the ICI, the Senate previously affirmed that their investigation on the issue continues despite the creation of the ICI. The Blue Ribbon Committee leads the flood probe. In the upper chamber, senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada are accused of alleged involvement in the issue. Sen. Jinggoy Estrada claimed that he is willing to reveal his bank accounts.