NOTWITHSTANDING ITS power and influence, the Marcos administration seems to be on overdrive, pronouncing jail time those linked to the flood control scandal, as an earnest effort to decimate multi-sectoral protest rallies — involving religious groups.
Despite daily updates on the supposed “pre-Christmas developments,” doubts are raised whether or not investigation and prosecution would involve prominent legislators from both the Senate and the House of Representatives, even political observers hinted at the possibility that contractors would be made into “sacrificial lambs if only to save the ass of the powers that may be.”
“Walang makukulong na congressman at senators dahil kaalyado nila. Puro contractors lang ang makukulong,” reads one of the most “reacted” comment on Facebook.
This will thus be the biggest test that the President will have to hurdle. He should make good on their pronouncements of Christmas in jail not just for contractors but big fish– among senators and congressmen.
Short of that, the coming November 16 to 18 protest to be staged by the three sects might just succeed in toppling this administration.
ICI Report Card
The Independent Commission on Infrastructure– which continue to hold closed probe sessions despite public clamor for transparency and open sessions– said of the 421 validated “ghost” flood control projects in the country, it is prioritizing the investigation of 80 projects involving the top 15 contractors that were in the President’s SONA listing.
Underhanded and underfunded as it is, the ICI has tapped the help of the Armed Forces, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Ombudsman’s Office, the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Philippine National Police in conducting ocular inspections and forensic validation of supposed projects which had already been paid for but were found either of substandard and incomplete status or at worst, completely ghost projects.
The Senate meantime will resume on November 17 (Monday) the Blue Ribbon Committee with Sen. Panfilo Lacson heading it anew after being voted back to the committee.
The ICI held a command conference in Camp Crame with the abovementioned national agencies in order to speed up its corruption investigations on flood control projects implemented by the past officials of the DPWH in cahoots with contractors and their connections with legislators, cited as responsible for budget insertions and usage of unprogrammed funds.
- The ICI hinted at focusing on the following construction firms:
- Legacy Construction Corporation
- Alpha & Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corp.
- St. Timothy Construction Corp.
- QM Builders
- EGB Construction Corp.
- 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
Command Conference
Those who attended the command conference last Wednesday were: ICI Special Advisor Rodolfo Azurin Jr., AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., ICI Chair Andres Reyes Jr., DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, and Acting PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
“The ICI led discussions to align strategies for case validation, intelligence gathering, and prosecution,” the PNP post conference statement reads.
“The conference aimed to validate priority ‘ghost projects,’ expand investigation coverage nationwide, and streamline coordination among the inter-agency teams tasked with inspections, documentation, and eventual case filings,” it added.
Among those in attendance were ICI Chair Andres Reyes Jr., ICI Commissioner Rogelio Singson, ICI Special Advisor Rodolfo Azurin Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., Acting PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon.
The PNP reiterated its full commitment “to strengthening the investigative and intelligence efforts of the ICI and partner agencies.”
“Our police officers provide critical insights and support the building of strong cases, ensuring that every lead is pursued and every irregularity is thoroughly examined,” PNP public information chief Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said in the statement.
The PNP previously met with the ICI at the latter’s office in Taguig City last October, where it clarified its role in the investigation as providing “technical support in the areas of engineering verification, forensic validation and information systems development.”
Azurin, before the command conference began, said the ICI will be looking into infrastructure projects in the Ilocos Region and Cebu province (badly hit by TS Tino and Super Typhoon Uwan) in the coming days.
Dizon later announced that a first batch of cases will be filed at the Sandiganbayan against more than 40 individuals for non-bailable offenses in the anomalous flood control projects.
Dizon noted that resigned Ako Bicol partylist Rep. Zaldy Co, former Bulacan 1st District Engr. Henry Alcantara, and private contractor couple Sarah and Curlee Discaya will be among the first to be imprisoned over the scandal.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla mentioned that former Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Senate President Chiz Escudero would soon be covered by such an investigation, along with more high profile politicians.
Last October, Dizon stated that the 421 validated ghost projects were among the 8,000 flood control projects inspected nationwide. Field inspectors of anomalous projects were assisted by the PNP, AFP and the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (previously NEDA).
New BIR Commissioner
Perhaps part of the Marcos administration’s strategy to fortify people’s trust in his leadership was the surprising replacement of Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. by Finance Undersecretary Charlito Martin Mendoza, an appointment that shocked everyone as Lumagui has consistently been overperforming by exceeding revenue targets.
The surprise appointment caused speculations that the steadfast filing of tax evasion cases against those involved in the flood control mess by Lumagui could have prompted the palace to go slow, as this might unduly affect those in government that the palace has links with.
Some even say that Lumagui might discover those involved in the mess who have somehow supported those in high places in government.
Mendoza’s edge is that as Usec for Revenue Operations Group of DoF, he helped the operations of BIR and Bureau of Customs meet their revenue goals.
Mendoza also worked as district collector for the BOC Port of Cebu, where he led the port to achieve record-breaking revenue collection and significant border protection milestones. The Port of Cebu, under him, became the first customs collection district to have its main port and all subports ISO 9001:2015 certified.
Before joining the government, Mendoza had a thriving legal career, working as a founding partner of the Palafox Patriarca Romero and Mendoza Law Firm and an associate lawyer at the Angara Abello Concepcion Regala and Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALAW) and the Suarez and Narvasa Law Firm. He also served as a law professor and a Pre-Bar and Mandatory Continuing Legal Education lecturer.
Mendoza placed third in the 2004 Philippine Bar Exam after earning his Bachelor of Laws degree from San Beda University. He is also a licensed Geodetic Engineer, having earned a degree in Geodetic Engineering from the University of the Philippines. (PNA)