Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- The House Infrastructure Committee’s investigation into alleged anomalies in flood control projects will likely proceed, parallel with the probe to be conducted by the newly created Independent Commission for Infrastructure, according to the joint panel’s Co-Chairperson Terry Ridon.He said the decision whether to terminate the House inquiry will have to be made by the Infra Comm members, but he does not see it wrapping up anytime soon. Ridon said the joint panel is ready to work with the ICI.“At this point, I don&#x27;t think we are wrapping up. Pero pag-uusapan ‘yan ng komite kung magpapatuloy o magsu-suspend. Pero I think the suspension will not come anytime soon. (04:50) Marami pong mga detalye na gusto natin talagang malaman eh,” he said.“At this point we are ready to proceed with ‘yun pong ongoing na mga pagdinig na tinitingnan sa Bulacan, sa Benguet, ‘yung mga na-announce na po namin ng mga pagsisiyasat. And we are ready to work with the ICI. It is part of their mandate to work with Congress and the Senate. So we are ready to furnish all the documents, evidence, and findings and recommendations to them. Kahit hindi pa kami tapos, pwede na po namin ibigay ito sa kanila. So makikipagtrabaho po kami with the ICI,” Ridon added.He expects the Infra Comm hearing to resume next week.“Definitely magkakaroon ng susunod na hearing. Baka next week na, kasi binubuo pa namin ‘yung detalye tungkol doon sa rocknetting… pinuntahan kasi ng Pangulo ‘yun, so hindi ‘yun din maliit na bagay at hindi rin ‘yun parang diversion towards any other issue,” Ridon said.He also expects a meeting with Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Chairperson Senator Panfilo Lacson regarding the flood control investigations conducted by both Houses of Congress.<div>DISCAYAS</div>Contractor Sarah Discaya may be cited in contempt if she still fails to attend the next House Infra Comm hearing.“We will have to decide on whether we will Issue a showcase order on her or whether we will cite her in contempt,” Ridon said.He also called on the Discayas to disclose the names of those who asked for kickbacks from flood control projects between 2016 and 2022. Ridon also wants them to name the person, who advised them to limit their affidavit from 2022 to 2025 only.“I&#x27;m telling them now publicly that if someone told them that 2022 and beyond is the cut-off date, whoever that is, kung Senador man ‘yun, or just abogado, I&#x27;m telling him now, I&#x27;m telling them now as chair, give the names for 2016 to 2022… I checked the agenda. It is not timeline bound. It is not time sensitive. So my question to them is, who told you? Who told the Discayas to make the cut-off 2022 and beyond?” he said.<div>DISMISSED</div>Ridon agrees that former DPWH Bulacan assistant district engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza should be dismissed from their post, but he maintains they can qualify as state witness.“I think they should be dismissed. Together with Henry Alcantara and everyone else that are involved in this racket…. They deserve to be out of DPWH. Pero having said that, pwede pa rin sila maging state witnesses. Kasi I don&#x27;t think sila po ‘yung most guilty in all of the ghost projects that have been done in Bulacan. I think it was very clear na una, marami talagang detail po ‘yung mga testimony nila. Pangalawa, malinaw doon na talagang utusan lang din sila ni Henry Alcantara,” Ridon said.Mendoza left the House premises because wanted to be with family, according to the House Infra Comm Co-Chair.“Handa naman po kami na igawad pa rin ‘yun sa kanya moving forward. Pero ‘yun pong protective custody po kasi, sinabi niya na he would want to leave the House premises and to be with his family. So pinayagan naman po natin. Kasi anyway, this is not a contempt citation anyway. Pero if he would want to go back to the House premises and be protected here, we would of course grant it to him,” Ridon said.He also welcomes the decision to return Hernandez to the Senate premises from the Pasay City Jail.“That is something that we accept more than his stay in Pasay City Jail. So masaya po kami na nandoon na po siya. And ‘yung kampo naman po ni Bryce Hernandez ‘yung nagsabi na they have a renewed faith in the current Senate leadership. So, I think he would rather stay there than be in Pasay City Jail...It&#x27;s something that we welcome and it&#x27;s something that we support,” Ridon said.<div>HOUSE BILL</div>House Majority Leader and Presidential Son Sandro Marcos, meanwhile, filed House Bill 3661 seeking to disqualify relatives of public officials, up to the fourth civil degree, from entering into government contracts.“This measure is simple but crucial: to strengthen accountability, and ensure integrity in public service. Government funds are meant to serve the Filipino people, not to enrich relatives or perpetuate undue advantage,” Marcos said in a statement.“By closing this loophole, we take another step toward a government that is fair, transparent, and truly for the people. We owe it to every taxpayer to safeguard every peso. This is what genuine public service demands,” he added.

The House Infrastructure Committee’s investigation into alleged anomalies in flood control projects will likely proceed, parallel with the probe to be conducted by the newly created Independent Commission for Infrastructure, according to the joint panel’s Co-Chairperson Terry Ridon.

The House Infrastructure Committee’s investigation into alleged anomalies in flood control projects will likely proceed, parallel with the probe to be conducted by the newly created Independent Commission for Infrastructure, according to the joint panel’s Co-Chairperson Terry Ridon.

House Infra Comm probe into flood control anomalies 'not wrapping up anytime soon': Ridon

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Nation

House Infra Comm probe into flood control anomalies 'not wrapping up anytime soon': Ridon

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 15, 2025 05:08 PM PHT

Read More:

House of Representatives

Independent Commission for Infrastructure

infrastructure

flood control

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.