THE Senate blue ribbon committee, led by Senator Rodante Marcoleta, has ordered the issuance of subpoenas to private contractors who failed to attend the initial public hearing regarding alleged irregularities in flood control projects across the country. The move aims to compel their attendance and cooperation in the investigation.
Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa proposed the motion for subpoenas, which was approved after no objections were raised. Senator Marcoleta expressed his disappointment that only seven out of 15 invited contractors were represented at the hearing, stating, “I just hope this is not a sign of disinterest on their part because this meeting is called precisely to get to the bottom of this problem.”
These contractors are: Legacy Construction Corporation Alpha & Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corp. St. Timothy Construction Corporation QM Builders EGB Construction Corporation Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc. Centerways Construction and Development Inc. Sunwest, Inc. Hi-Tone Construction & Development Corp. Triple 8 Construction & Supply, Inc. Royal Crown Monarch Construction & Supplies Corp. Wawao Builders MG Samidan Construction L.R. Tiqui Builders, Inc. Road Edge Trading & Development Services Of them, only the Legacy Construction Corporation, QM Builders, EGB Construction Corporation, Centerways Construction and Development Inc., Triple 8 Construction & Supply, Inc., MG Samidan Construction, and Road Edge Trading & Development Services were represented in the first hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
Committee vice chairperson Erwin Tulfo voiced his frustration, suggesting the absent contractors were disrespecting the committee. “They are making a fool out of this committee by saying that they are sick, already on vacation, and have a prior schedule. What is more important, their prior schedule or this investigation? Because we’re talking about P544 billion here and not a small change, Mr. Chair,” Tulfo emphasized.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. had previously revealed that 20% of the total P545 billion flood control budget was awarded to just 15 contractors, with five of them having projects in nearly all regions nationwide.
Senator Marcoleta, in his opening statement, asserted that the core issue was “rampant corruption entangled within the core of our government,” adding that “funds are wasted over questionable projects” and “lives and properties are lost due to failures in flood control.” The committee seeks to thoroughly investigate these allegations and hold those responsible accountable.
