Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Members of anti-corruption movement want independent commission for flood control probe. Agatha Gregorio, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Agatha Gregorio

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1756109106037cropped-viber_image_2025-08-25_15-55-14.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Members of anti-corruption movement want independent commission for flood control probe. Agatha Gregorio, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — New anti-corruption group Artikulo Onse on Monday called for an independent fact-finding body to conduct the probe into flood control projects&#x27; anomalies, as they opposed investigations led by the Senate, House of Representatives, and the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev).</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/25/escudero-oks-subpoenas-vs-contractors-who-skipped-senate-flood-probe-1145">Senate kicks off probe into flood control projects</a></div><p>During the launch of Artikulo Onse in Quezon City on National Heroes’ Day, Liberal Party (LP) Acting President and former House Deputy Speaker Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada said investigation into the issue should not be left to those in Congress, especially as deliberations for the 2026 budget are taking place.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/8/24/leviste-to-file-case-vs-dpwh-batangas-1st-district-engineer-0711">Leviste to file case vs DPWH Batangas 1st District engineer</a></div><p>“The floodwaters expose more than our fragile infrastructure. They reveal cracks in governance, missing billions, and the erosion of public trust. Every peso lost to corruption is a classroom left unfinished, a health center never completed, a family unprotected against disaster. This controversy over flood control projects highlights an urgent need– stronger safeguards for the people&#x27;s money,” Tañada said.</p><p>The group is also calling for the passage of a “genuine” Freedom of Information (FOI) law opening government transactions and contracts to the public as “transparency strengthens institutions,” Tañada added.</p><p>For labor leader Ka Leody de Guzman, majority of the members of the investigating body should come from their sector, instead of lawmakers.</p><p>“Dapat majority manggaling sa kinatawan ng sektor, hindi mga– ulitin ko– hindi galing sa Kongreso. Hindi galing sa Senado,” De Guzman said.</p><p>De Guzman mentioned former Commission on Audit commissioner Heidi Mendoza and former Finance undersecretary Cielo Magno as people who should be part of the proposed body.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/25/escudero-oks-subpoenas-vs-contractors-who-skipped-senate-flood-probe-1145">Escudero OKs subpoenas vs contractors who skipped Senate flood probe</a></div><p>According to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, the DEPDev will lead an investigation into flood control project anomalies.</p><p>But former congressman JV Bautista questioned the credibility of the agency to conduct the probe.</p><p>“Do they even have their feet on the ground? Nasubukan na ba nilang, halimbawa, mapunta sa strike o mapunta sa isang ‘yung shanty house ng isang mahirap natin na informal settler? Natikman na ba nila ‘yun? They only work with figures… Ang kailangan natin honest to goodness citizens investigating commission headed by the most credible Filipinos that we can find,” Bautista said.</p><p>Tañada said if President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. effectively goes against corruption, especially concerning flood control projects, this will “eventually erase whatever historical judgment there was on the previous Marcos administration.&quot;</p><p>&quot;If he is really serious in going after corruption despite the baggage that the family has then this is the point where he can shine,&quot; Tañada said.</p><p>Labor leader Luke Espiritu also expressed the need for a comprehensive climate plan, as he lamented that some are turning the climate crisis into a business opportunity.</p><p>&quot;Ginagawang negosyo ang mismong climate crisis. Ang mismong pagdating ng bagyo, ginagawang oportunidad para kumita ng bilyon-bilyon na tayo ang pinagbabayad,” Espiritu said.</p><p>Artikulo Onse also plans to launch an extensive “shame campaign” against people in both the private and public sectors, who, proven by enough evidence, are guilty of wrongdoing.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gN3kzt2WCbE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Labor leader Luke Espiritu also expressed the need for a comprehensive climate plan, as he lamented that some are turning the climate crisis into a business opportunity.</p>

Labor leader Luke Espiritu also expressed the need for a comprehensive climate plan, as he lamented that some are turning the climate crisis into a business opportunity.

Group rejects lawmaker-led probe into flood control mess, eyes 'shame campaign' vs crooks

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Group rejects lawmaker-led probe into flood control mess, eyes 'shame campaign' vs crooks

Agatha Gregorio,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 25, 2025 04:11 PM PHT

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flood control

House of Representatives

Senate

politics

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