Senator Kiko Pangilinan expressed his support for the creation of an independent commission to investigate the trillion-peso worth of anomalous flood control projects.
In an interview on Bombo Radyo Baguio, Pangilinan underscored the need to ensure transparency, accountability, and the proper use of public funds to protect the most vulnerable communities from flooding.
“We support the creation by law of an independent investigative body that will look into these trillion pesos worth of corrupt flood control projects,” the veteran legislator said, also expressing support for Senator Tito Sotto III’s Senate Bill No. 1215, which seeks to create an Independent People’s Commission (IPC) to look into anomalies in all government infrastructure projects.
The seasoned lawmaker added that the commission must be led by the likes of former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson, and Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong.
“Dapat sila ay mahiya. Dapat sila ay parusahan.”
“Dapat sila ay mahiya. Dapat sila ay parusahan kung sino pa yung nagkasala eh sila pa ang galit,” the senator said.
“Dapat habulin itong mga nangungurakot ng mga ghost projects. At suportado natin si Pangulong BBM dito na binubusisi nya ng husto,” he said.
Pangilinan also expressed support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call for a lifestyle check on all government officials amid the flood control projects mess.
“Tama ‘yan. Suportado natin ‘yan… Para makita sino-sino ba ‘to,” he asked, noting the social media posts now showing the lavish lifestyles of the family members and relatives of those allegedly behind the flood control ghost projects.
Pangilinan also called on Filipinos to be vigilant and to report on politicians’ and public servants’ “extravagant lifestyles”.
“Sa halip na ma-inspire, nasuka dahil doon sa mga pinakikitang kayamanan galing sa nakaw.”
“Isiwalat sa social media ganon din itong sobrang garapalan at sobrang sa halip na ma-inspire, nasuka dahil doon sa mga pinakikitang kayamanan galing sa nakaw,” he added.
Pangilinan also once more questioned DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan about why he had not resigned after revelations of these anomalous projects.
“Trilyong-pisong halaga ng flood control ghost projects: Ang tanong, bakit hindi pa nagre-resign ang secretary?,” he asked. “Dahil dalawa lang ‘yan: Nalusutan ka ng trilyong pisong kurakot o kung ‘di ka nalusutan, kasabwat ka, involved ka. So, it’s either incompetence or corruption. Either way, bakit ka pa nariyan?”
