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House probe into flood control projects to be “fair”, won’t defend if congressmen get implicated: Ridon

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — The House probe into alleged anomalies in flood control projects will be “fair”, “evidence-driven”, and “won’t be a platform to defend congressmen” who may be implicated, Committee on Public Accounts Chairperson Terry Ridon said.</p><p>The House on Wednesday authorized its committees on Public Accounts, Public Works and Highways, and Good Government and Public Accountability to conduct an inquiry into the matter.</p><p>“A conflict of interest will depend on a project to project, case to case basis,&quot; Ridon, of Bicol Saro party-list, said in response to criticism of the House potentially investigating its own members.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/8/21/p55-m-ghost-river-wall-project-in-baliwag-skipped-local-gov-t-oversight-lgu-says-1651"><strong>P55-M &#x27;ghost&#x27; river wall project in Baliwag skipped local gov&#x27;t oversight, LGU says</strong></a></div><p>He said the probe will look into whether flood control projects reported as completed are “incomplete, delayed, substandard or [are] ghost projects.”</p><p>Ridon reiterated any House members named in the inquiry will have the chance to defend themselves. The panels will then wrap up the probe and endorse it to the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development or a third-party  prober.</p><p>Manila City 2nd District Rep. Rolando Valeriano, House Committee on Public Order and Safety chairperson, also defended the inquiry, saying the panels will only be discrediting themselves if they turn the probe into a &quot;zarzuela.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/20/lacson-details-corruption-in-flood-control-projects-1924"><strong>Lacson details corruption in flood control projects</strong></a></div><div> </div><div><strong>WHO WILL BE INVITED?</strong></div><p>The hearings of the House Infra Comm are expected to begin in around two weeks. The joint panel will have contempt and subpoena powers, and all resource persons will have to speak under oath.</p><p>Ridon said the inquiry will try to “get to the bottom of all the controversies that the President is not only disappointed about, but also angry about”.</p><p>It can also touch on the supposed anomalies in flood control projects raised by Sen. Panfilo Lacson in his privilege speech on Thursday.</p><p>All contractors and officials involved in the questionable projects will be invited, according to Ridon.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/19/dpwh-chief-admits-existence-of-ghost-flood-control-projects-vows-probe-1233"><strong>DPWH chief admits existence of &#x27;ghost&#x27; flood control projects, vows probe</strong></a></div><p>He said the following may be held liable for the projects:</p><p>• Signatories of contracts for &#x27;ghost&#x27; projects</p><p>• Members of bidding and awards committees</p><p>• Contractors</p><p>• Commission on Audit auditors who certified the projects</p><p>“Lahat po sila, mayroong aktwal na administratibo at kriminal na pananagutan sa mga ghost projects,” he added.</p><p>(All of them may have actual administrative and criminal liability for the &#x27;ghost&#x27; projects)</p><p>Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who accused some lawmakers of getting 30% to 40% kickbacks from infrastructure projects, will also be invited, if he intends to name the lawmakers.</p><p>Ridon also said Vice President Sara Duterte, who has said some contractors work for unnamed House members, is free to attend the probe if she has personal knowledge of the projects.</p><p>But for Valeriano, Duterte’s statement appears to be “lies”. He said the vice president may be making statements to distract from her own issues.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/14/legislators-contractors-tagged-in-anomalous-flood-control-deals-to-be-invited-to-house-probe-1111"><strong>Legislators, contractors tagged in &#x27;anomalous&#x27; flood control deals to be invited to House probe</strong></a></div><div> </div><div><strong>RESIGNATION CALL</strong></div><p>Kamanggagawa Party-List Rep. Eli San Fernando has meanwhile called on Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan to resign from his post amid allegations of anomalies at his department.</p><p>He said that Bonoan is either unaware of the anomalies, which would mean he is incompetent, or does know about it, which would mean that he is corrupt.</p><p>“Umalis ka na sa puwesto mo. Bumaba ka na riyan. Mahiya ka naman,” he added.</p><p>(Leave your post. Have some shame)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/21/pangilinan-why-hasn-t-dpwh-chief-bonoan-resigned-yet-1223"><strong>Pangilinan: Why hasn’t DPWH chief Bonoan resigned yet?</strong></a></div><p>Ridon believes those calling for Bonoan’s resignation have a “valid point” but said the inquiry will show who should be held accountable.</p><p>Valeriano also said it is too soon to call for Bonoan’s resignation.</p><p>“Siguro bigyan din natin siya ng oras magpaliwanag,” he said</p><p>(I think we should give him the opportunity to explain)</p>

<p>The House probe into alleged anomalous flood control projects will be “fair”, “evidence-driven”, and “won’t be a platform to defend congressmen” implicated in the issue, according to House Committee on Public Accounts Chairperson Rep. Terry Ridon.</p>

The House probe into alleged anomalous flood control projects will be “fair”, “evidence-driven”, and “won’t be a platform to defend congressmen” implicated in the issue, according to House Committee on Public Accounts Chairperson Rep. Terry Ridon.

Ridon: Probe into flood projects won't be platform to defend House members named

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Ridon: Probe into flood projects won't be platform to defend House members named

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 21, 2025 06:19 PM PHT

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House of Representatives

Flood control projects

DPWH

Terry Ridon

Investigation

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