Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

MANILA – House Committee on Public Accounts Chairperson and Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon on Saturday said their investigation into alleged anomalies in flood control projects will focus on the initiatives, not personalities.  &quot;We will be strict with the methodology. The method is to not focus on personalities, whether they are legislators, whethey they are contractors, the method is to focus on the projects at bid. Ibig sabihin kung completed yung project, maganda yan, it stood the test of years,&quot; Ridon said in a press conference.  &quot;I don’t think we have an indication na we will be partial to any party. Pinakamahalaga po talaga dito na evidence centered, document centered testimony centered ang pagsisiyasat para hindi masabi na meron tayong pinagtatakpan at meron tayong kinikilingan dito,&quot; he added. The lawmaker said they are not looking at the cost and scale of flood control projects but whether the funds were pocketed and the construction and materials were substandard. Ridon reiterated that the House will turn over the probe once there are indications implicating lawmakers in the alleged anomalous projects. &quot;Pagka po may natisod na anomalous transactions. And in the course of the inquiry  At may napangalanan na mambabatas, senador man yan o kongresista, bibigyan natin ng karapatan sumagot muna ito,&quot; he said. &quot;Pero siyempre as soon as they are able to reply... dapat ipasa ho ito sa independent third party probe. If this will be the executive led probe, doon po namin ipapasa para lang ho maging malinaw na  wala tayong dapat pag takpan within Congress or within the entire of lawmakers,&quot; he added. Ridon said their probe may also look into campaign donations to lawmakers by contractors named by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The lawmaker said the soon to be formed House Tri Committee is just awaiting plenary approval on the resolution authorizing it to conduct a joint inquiry. The Tri Committee will be composed of public accounts, public works, and good government panels. &quot;Yun pong House Resolution sa pagbubuo ng Tri Comm naihain na po ito sa kamara. So inaantay nalang po natin yung pagkakaroon ng approval in plenary para magsama-sama ang tatlong komite,&quot; he said. Ridon expects the Tri Comm probe to begin in the coming weeks. He also foresees that marathon hearings will be held due to the volume of projects. &quot;Siguro we will focus on the biggest. Very important po talaga na may mapanagot eh. Yung pinakamabilis na paraan, halimbawa kumpleto na dokumento at ebidensya, pwede na ma-recommend agad blacklisting… dapat magawa yan ng any executive para mabilis,&quot; the lawmaker said. (19 minute mark)Ridon renewed his challenge to Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong to name names and show evidence to back his claims. &quot;Hanggang sa ngayon walang pagbibigay ng pangalan na sinasabi ni Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong. I think it has almost been a month... until today wala po yun,&quot; he said. &quot;We will still invite him to the Tri Committee. But we will require him to do under oath to disclose sino yung 67 contractors, second sino yung lawmakers na tumatanggap ng kickback, nasaan po yung dokumento,&quot; the lawmaker added. Magalong has yet to respond to this new challenge by the lawmaker. But he earlier questioned why Congress will investigate the matter if lawmakers are supposedly the ones involved. The local official on Thursday said he is just consolidating the documents, before he personally goes to the Office of the President. &quot;Siguro in the next week. Tatapusin lang namin next week. We’ll get in touch with the office of the President kung kailan siya available and immediately kung ano yung date na sinet nya, we’re going to visit him,&quot; he said. Magalong also said he is ready to lead the probe and present the evidence. On the part of the Senate, Blue Ribbon Committee Chairperson Senator Rodante Marcoleta said their investigation will start on August 19. Marcoleta said the Senate&#x27;s inquiry will not only focus on questionable contractors, but also on public officials who &#x27;shamelessly profit&#x27; from the flood control projects.<div> </div>

House Committee on Public Accounts Chairperson and Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon says their investigation into alleged anomalies in flood control projects will focus on the initiatives, not personalities.

House Committee on Public Accounts Chairperson and Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon says their investigation into alleged anomalies in flood control projects will focus on the initiatives, not personalities.

Lawmaker: House probe on flood control projects to focus on initiatives, not personalities

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Nation

Lawmaker: House probe on flood control projects to focus on initiatives, not personalities

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 16, 2025 06:37 PM PHT

Read More:

ABSNews

House of Representatives

Senate

Flood Control Projects

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.