Marilyn Cahatol

Former Senator Leila de Lima speaks at the House of Representatives on October 22, 2024, during the Quad-Committee hearing on extrajudicial killings tied to former president Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

QUAD-COMM-HEARING

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — An independent body, and not the House of Representatives, should investigate the alleged corruption in the flood control projects to avoid conflict of interest, Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila De Lima said Friday. </p><p>The House on Wednesday <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/20/house-authorizes-tri-comm-to-investigate-flood-control-projects-2147">authorized </a>three committees to conduct a joint probe into the flood control projects earlier flagged by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. </p><p>“It’s good to know from the two chairman of the tri-comm that at this point, they are assuring us of fairness, but up to what extent? What if names of certain lawmakers start to come out? How would they handle that?” De Lima told ANC’s Headstart.</p><p>“It would be best if we let an independent probe, an independent body na mayroon talagang mga members who would be leading the independent probe with probity, competence, integrity, that would be expected to be fair and objective, without fear or favor kung sino man ang mapangalanan niyan,” she said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/21/ridon-probe-into-flood-projects-won-t-be-platform-to-defend-house-members-named-1819">Ridon: Probe into flood projects won&#x27;t be platform to defend House members named</a></div><p>The congresswoman said the independent body could be led by a former jurist “with known competence, integrity, probity,&quot; as well as exposure to how government projects are being undertaken.</p><p>The members, De Lima suggested, could include former Commission on Audit (COA) commissioner Heidi Mendoza and former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary <a href="http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/news/nation/2025/8/21/singson-confirms-getting-palace-feelers-to-be-next-dpwh-secretary-1118">Rogelio Singson</a>, &quot;who knows the ins and outs of the department.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/8/17/coa-orders-fraud-audit-on-flood-control-projects-in-bulacan-1551">COA orders fraud audit on flood control projects in Bulacan</a></div><p>De Lima said the body should also have experts, including an engineer and a businessman with expertise in government projects, but not involved in a past or current corruption case.</p><p>They should be assisted by an inter-agency committee consisting of representatives from the National Prosecution Service, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, DPWH and other relevant government agencies.</p><p>This, De Lima said, could be done through an executive order by the President, or a law that Marcos should certify as urgent for immediate enactment.</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">DPWH chief admits existence of &#x27;ghost&#x27; flood control projects, vows probe</a></div><div> </div><div><strong>CONFLICT OF INTEREST</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>De Lima noted that the House tri-committee could face a conflict of interest issue should legislators&#x27; names be linked to the allegedly corrupt flood-control projects.</p><p>She said the tri-comm should immediately refer to investigative and prosecutorial government agencies if this happens. </p><p>“Those who have personal knowledge on the involvement of specific lawmakers, would they be able to have enough courage to point to them while testifying as a resource person before the tri-comm?” De Lima said.</p><p>Even before the probe begins, Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday already linked Deputy Majority Leader and Oriental Mindoro 1st District Rep. Arnan Panaligan to the allegedly defective flood control projects in the province.  Panaligan has denied involvement in the identification and implementation of flood control projects in his district. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/20/lacson-details-corruption-in-flood-control-projects-1924">Lacson details corruption in flood control projects</a></div><p>“This investigation would really open a can of worms, and baka diretsong matamaan ang Kongreso. So why not let an independent probe na mas more comprehensive and freer to really act on the matter and make the right recommendations, especially for prosecution of those involved,” De Lima said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/8/21/-walang-feasibility-studies-ilang-flood-control-projects-sa-batangas-nasisira-na-0847">&#x27;Walang feasibility studies, walang benepisyo&#x27;: Ilang flood control projects sa Batangas nasisira na</a></div><div> </div><div><strong>DIVESTMENT, BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP USED AS LAW LOOPHOLES</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Republic Act No. 6713 prohibits public officials and employees from engaging in any private enterprises with official transactions with their offices.</p><p>But many current and former contractors were still able to get a government post, especially through the party-list system, based on ABS-CBN News’ research.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/11/a-deeper-look-into-marcos-s-list-of-top-flood-control-contractors-0037">A deeper look into Marcos’s list of top flood control contractors</a></div><p>De Lima said some officials utilize beneficial ownership and divestment, or the transfer of title or disposal of interest in property to an individual other than an official’s relative. </p><p>“That is the perfect excuse, but let’s remember that there’s such a thing as beneficial ownership. So need not be named there, you may have papers there about your being out of the business or company. But the question of beneficial ownership is there,” she said.</p><p>The congresswoman noted the country needs a law that can strictly monitor the relationships of company owners, especially if they are linked with an elected politician.</p><p>“I think it is a good point for further study to strengthen our laws against those, correcting those loopholes,” she said.</p><p>She added that the law should be amended to include beneficial ownership as a cause of conflict of interest.</p><p>“There has to be a way of balancing these considerations. Ang importante is that nawawala na iyan. The other option is they (contractors) don’t accept any more public post.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/19/senate-to-kick-off-probe-into-flood-control-projects-0951">Senate kicks off probe into flood control projects; Discaya, other contractors no show</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>‘INDEPENDENT’ </strong><strong>PROBE</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>House Committee on Good Government Chairperson Rep. Joel Chua, a co-chair of the joint House panel, said he also preferred an “independent” inquiry into the matter to “avoid doubts” on its credibility. </p><p>“Para at least huwag mabigyan ng duda ‘yung aming imbestigasyon kung may masasangkot na mga kasama namin sa Kongreso at… mga kasama po natin sa Senado, ay tingin ko po, mas maganda kung magkaroon ng independent na inquiry,” he said.</p><p>“Kung may mali-link o may madadawit ng mga kasama namin, siguro mas maganda kung mag-recuse kami,” he added. </p><p>For ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, the House probe can continue, but the Office of the Ombudsman or a special team from the Commission on Audit should also conduct a parallel probe. Kabataan  party-list Rep. Renee Co backed this call.</p><p>“Publiko in the end ang huhusga kung talaga bang maayos at mahusay na ginagawa ang trabaho nito (House probe)... Kung matumbok na ‘yung mga kasamahan mismo sa Kongreso (ang involved), ano na ang gagawin? Mag-hands-off ba? Magso-soft-touch? Mahahalata naman ‘yan ng publiko. Pero para sa akin, mas mabuti, mas maraming mga plataporma para sa imbestigasyon ay mas maganda,” he said. </p><p>“Sa halip na pigilan ang Kongreso, mas mainam na ituloy ito at i-maximize kung ano ang pwedeng malantad sa issue ng flood control. In the same way na… wala naman nagsasabi na itigil ng Senate ang kanilang Blue Ribbon Committee, even though pwede rin sabihin na may mga senador, it&#x27;s a matter of public record na may mga links sa contractors,” Tinio added.</p><div> </div><div><strong>BLACKLIST AND PROSECUTE</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The joint House panel dubbed as “House Infra Comm” will seek the blacklisting and prosecution of the contractors behind ghost and substandard flood control projects, as well as their accomplices, according to Chua.</p><p>The inquiry will look into the projects that angered the President and those flagged by Sen. Panfilo Lacson in a privilege speech, among others. Hearings are expected to begin in around two weeks. </p><p>“Basically, isa sa mga agenda natin dyan ay mapa-blacklist, ma-identify muna natin kung ano ‘yung mga gumawa ng mga project na ghost at mga substandard and siyempre dapat kung talaga namang grabe ‘yung ginawa nila, kung ghost project, dapat talaga ma-blacklist sila at masampahan ng kaukulang kaso kasama ‘yung mga kanilang kakuntiyaba,” he said.</p><p>Tinio said the House investigation should also determine the lawmakers who proposed the alleged anomalous flood control projects.</p><p>“Lumalabas na may mga ghost project ngayon, pero hindi malinaw sino ang proponent… Sino ‘yung pulitikong kailangan ng contractor para makuha ‘yung proyekto na yun?” he said.</p><p>“Kung sinasabi ng congressman hindi siya ‘yung proponent, sino ‘yung proponent? Or was it inserted in the small committee, ‘yung controversial na small committee? Or was it inserted in the bicam?” Tinio added.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xWmPeOLhJcc?si=9Ae9ob39H4pxNJAy" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>An independent body, and not the House of Representatives, should investigate the alleged corruption in the flood control projects to avoid conflict of interest, Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila De Lima. </p>

An independent body, and not the House of Representatives, should investigate the alleged corruption in the flood control projects to avoid conflict of interest, Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila De Lima.

De Lima wants independent body, not House, to probe flood-control projects to avoid 'conflict of interest'

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De Lima wants independent body, not House, to probe flood-control projects to avoid 'conflict of interest'

Marilyn Cahatol,

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 22, 2025 10:52 AM PHT

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Updated Aug 22, 2025 03:52 PM PHT

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Leila De Lima

Flood-control projects

Mamamayang Liberal

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