BATANGAS 1st District Representative Leandro Legarda Leviste today filed House Resolution No. 1169 urging Congress to resume the flood control investigation, arguing that its work remains far from complete.
The House Infrastructure Committee suspended its flood control hearings on September 24, 2025 “to give way” to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI). The ICI concluded its operations on March 31, 2026.
The resolution comes as tens of thousands rallied at the EDSA People Power Monument, Liwasang Bonifacio, and around the country on June 30 to demand accountability for the flood control scandal.
In his resolution, Leviste pointed to evidence that he said remains untested by sustained legislative inquiry, including documents from the office of the late DPWH Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral and the testimony of former military officers. He noted that the cases filed so far have centered on only a handful of offices, such as the DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office and the MIMAROPA Regional Office, despite the testimony by former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo that “almost 100%” of the agency’s bids are rigged.
He also cited the Office of the Ombudsman’s June 29 announcement that former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan is set to become a state witness, alongside Bernardo, both of whom could provide insights to address corruption in the DPWH.
Leviste also stressed that an active Congress is essential to checks and balances, citing Senator Ping Lacson’s disclosure that “at least five Cabinet secretaries and some undersecretaries had allocables and/or non-allocables, according to the documents” from the late Undersecretary Cabral. He also pointed out that the Senate has recognized the need to continue the investigation through its Blue Ribbon Committee hearings, for reasons also applicable for the House.
Leviste noted that the proposed inquiry is without prejudice to the cases pending before the Ombudsman and the Sandiganbayan and reforms being undertaken by the DPWH under its new leadership. A further inquiry, he said, is necessary to supplement and institutionalize these measures through legislation.
Leviste ended by noting: “Today’s EDSA rally is not only for one group, it is for all Filipinos, and this resolution gives Congress the opportunity to address the public dissatisfaction with the response to the flood control scandal to date.”
metrosundaily
