Former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson Speaks on Flood Control Probe of ICI
CHAVIT SINGSON – The former Ilocos Sur Governor claimed that President Bongbong Marcos is allegedly part of the problem over flood control corruption.
Amid the flood control mess in the Philippines, Marcos Jr. formed an independent probe team tasked to investigate the infrastructure projects of the government. It is called the Independent Commission on Infrastructure or the ICI, a three-member body armed with broad powers.
The ICI has the power to move for the freezing or the seizure of the assets that are linked to anomalies. They also have the power to issue a subpoena to compel individuals to attend the investigation. Furthermore, they may also probe the violators of the anti-graft and corruption laws in the country.
Recently, former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson aired his side on the flood control probe of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure. Based on a report on PhilStar, the former Governor claimed that the ICI should begin their investigation in Ilocos Norte, the bailiwick of the Marcoses.
At a press conference at Club Filipino in San Juan, Singson admitted that his suggestion that the ICI should start its flood control probe in Ilocos Norte is because “that’s where the President came from”. Based on the report, he claimed that some flood works in the province were allegedly contracted by the construction companies owned by contractor couple Pacific “Curlee” Discaya and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya.
Based on the report, Chavit Singson spoke further to the point of naming the Discaya-linked construction firms that were allegedly awarded with government projects in Ilocos Norte. He mentioned the St. Matthew Construction, St. Gerrard Construction, St. Timothy Construction and Alpha and Omega Construction.
Singson went further to speaking against Marcos Jr. whom he endorsed in the 2022 Elections. He stressed that the President is allegedly part of the problem as he signed the 2025 budget that is supposedly riddled with alleged irregularities.
“When the President mentioned graft and corruption in flood control, he’s part of that. Hasn’t he forgotten?” the former Ilocos Sur Governor said.
Amid the flood control mess in the Philippines, several congressmen were linked by controversial contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya to the issue. According to the couple, the following government officials allegedly received kickback from the flood control projects:
- Former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez
- Quezon City Cong. Arturo “Arjo” Atayde
- Marikina Cong. Marcy Teodoro
- Pasig Cong. Roman Romulo
- Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co
Presidential cousin and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez claimed that his resignation from being the House speaker is in line with the pursuit of allowing the ICI to freely and fully exercise its mandate. Prior to it, Marcos Jr. claimed that even his cousin, then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and his allies won’t be spared from the flood control probe.