The House Infrastructure Committee is preparing to launch an investigation into questionable flood control and other public works projects, with the goal of holding erring contractors accountable — including possible blacklisting.
In a GMA News Online report, Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua, co-chair of the committee, said that one of their top priorities is identifying those responsible for “ghost” and substandard projects. “Isa sa mga agenda natin dyan, mapa-blacklist. Ma-identify muna natin kung ano yung mga gumawa ng mga project na ghost at mga substandard,” Chua explained.
He added that contractors proven guilty should not only be blacklisted but also face charges along with their alleged accomplices. “Kung talaga namang grabe yung ginawa nila, kung ghost project eh dapat talaga ma-blacklist sila at masampahan ng kaukulang kaso kasama yung mga kanilang kakuntsaba,” he stressed.
The House InfraComm — composed of Chua’s Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, the Committee on Public Accounts, and the Committee on Public Works and Highways — is expected to start the probe this September, according to a report by GMA News Online.
Chua also emphasized the need for transparency, suggesting that if lawmakers are implicated, the panel should recuse itself. “Kung may mali-link o may madadawit na mga kasama namin, siguro mas maganda kung mag-recuse kami… Para at least huwag mabigyan ng duda yung aming imbestigasyon,” he said, noting that an independent inquiry would be more credible if Congress members were involved.
House InfraComm Co-Chair and Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon echoed Chua’s stance, while Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party-list Representative Antonio Tinio pushed for a special audit by the Commission on Audit. “Mag-imbestiga man ang House, mag-imbestiga man ang Senado, this does not preclude yung investigation mismo… whether it’s the Ombudsman or COA special audit ay kailangan pa rin gawin ang mga yan,” Tinio pointed out.
