Dennis Gaviola

Article (news)

Magalong

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — House Committee on Public Accounts Chairperson Rep. Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro party-list urged Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong to show proof of his claim that lawmakers get kickbacks of 30-40% from flood control and infrastructure projects.</p><p>Ridon said Magalong should be invited when the House panel conducts a review of government infrastructure projects to look into possible “ghost projects, bloated contracts, chronic underspending, and abuse of discretion in fund realignment and procurement”.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/31/senate-to-launch-inquiry-into-alleged-flood-control-budget-misuse-erwin-tulfo-1608"><strong>&#x27;Politicians as contractors?&#x27;: Senate to probe alleged flood control budget misuse</strong></a></div><p>Ridon said Magalong should provide evidence of the allegation to help the committee in its probe.</p><p>“Wala namang tayong sinisino rito eh. Kumbaga, kung mayroon talagang legislator involved, kung mayroon po talagang agency official involved, kung regional director ito, district engineer ito, undersecretary ito, secretary ito, wala ho tayo dapat sinuhin dito,&quot; he said.</p><p>(We will not spare anyone here. If there is a legislator involved, or an agency official — whether a regional director, district engineer, undersecretary or secretary — we should not spare them)</p><p>He added that the contractors for the projects are also &quot;ultimately&quot; involved in potential corruption. </p><p>Ridon said the public would not find the panel&#x27;s probe credible if it certain officials are spared scrutiny.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>REVIEW TO START IN AUGUST</strong></div><p>The House Committee on Public Accounts hopes to start the review in August after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a probe into possible corruption in flood control projects, some of which faltered this month when monsoon rains triggered flooding in parts of the country.</p><p>Ridon said they will invite officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways to determine the status of these projects. </p><div><a href="http://​https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/29/govt-says-objective-review-of-flood-control-projects-not-a-witch-hunt-1803"><strong>Gov&#x27;t says objective review of flood control projects not a &#x27;witch-hunt&#x27;</strong></a></div><p>He said the committee can conduct the review even pending findings by the Commission on Audit. <strong><br/></strong></p><p>“We have to be able to act proactively.”</p>

<p>House Committee on Public Accounts Chairperson Rep. Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro party-list urged Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong to show proof of his claim that lawmakers get kickbacks of 30-40% from flood control and infrastructure projects.</p>

House Committee on Public Accounts Chairperson Rep. Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro party-list urged Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong to show proof of his claim that lawmakers get kickbacks of 30-40% from flood control and infrastructure projects.

Magalong urged to show proof lawmakers get kickbacks from infra projects

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Magalong urged to show proof lawmakers get kickbacks from infra projects

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 31, 2025 08:41 PM PHT

Read More:

Kickback

Benjamin Magalong

Retty Ridon

House of Representatives

Flood Control project

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