Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva clarified on Monday that no members of the Senate are tied to the 15 contractors identified by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as holding the bulk of the country’s flood control projects.
“I can only speak for this house, not the other house. And as far as I’m concerned as the majority leader of the Senate, I don’t see any senators involved in any of these 15 construction firms,” Villanueva said in a GMA News Online report.
When pressed about possible links to members of the House of Representatives, he said, “Madali. Bibigyan ko na lang kayo ng mga papeles para mas magandang ‘yun ang magsalita kaysa ako.”
Earlier in the day, Marcos revealed that 20% of the ₱545-billion budget for flood control projects went to only 15 contractors, calling the situation “another disturbing assessment.” He added that five of these companies have projects spread across almost all regions of the country. The President said the administration is still verifying whether these firms are connected to sitting officials.
“We will still go through every single one. And we still have to see what really is credible and what needs to be acted upon,” Marcos said.
Villanueva also weighed in on whether Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan should step aside while the probe continues, saying it is ultimately the President’s call.
“If the President feels na he still enjoys his trust and confidence, then there’s nothing we can do about it. Ang sa akin lang, importante na maging impartial ang investigation at maging mataas ang kredibilidad ng pag-imbestiga dito na talagang walang sasantuhin,” he stressed.
