House panel issues subpoenas to ‘DBM-favored’ contractor, DPWH execs
MANILA, Philippines — The House rules panel has issued subpoenas to the owner of the “favored contractor” of the Department and Budget and Management (DBM) and several Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials in the Bicol region.
Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. said this is to shed light on the alleged “flood control scam” and other multi-billion-peso “anomalous” infrastructure projects in Sorsogon province.
House Secretary General Dante Roberto Maling has sought the assistance of Philippine National Police Chief Dir. Gen. Oscar Albayalde to locate and serve the subpoenas to the individuals invited to the January 3 hearing of the committee in Naga City, according to Andaya.
Among those who were issued suboenas were Consolacion Leoncio, owner of C.T. Leoncio; and DPWH officials Engrs. Virgilio Eduarte, Danilo Verzola, Ignacio Odiaman, Wilfredo Flores, Larry Reyes, Merla Raveche, Jorge Gorimbao, Victor Azupardo, Gil Augustus Balmadrid, Noland Claro Guerrero; Malou Lacuna, Renato de Vera, and Dr. Elenita Tan.
“The subpoenas, I was informed, was received by the PNP Region 5 as early as Dec. 20,” Andaya said, adding that the chamber would not hesitate to issue arrest orders if they refuse to appear in the congressional hearings.
READ: Andaya bares favored Palace contractor
READ: House to summon ‘favored’ contractor behind multi-billion projects
Andaya said they also expect Leoncio and the DPWH officials to bring with them copies of transaction documents involving the infrastructure projects in question.
These, he said, include the P10-billion infrastructure projects allocated by the DBM to Sorsogon in 2018, “most of which were cornered by C.T. Leoncio Construction and eventually found their way to the construction firm owned by the in-laws of the DBM Secretary.”
READ: Andaya says Sorsogon got P10B in infra projects
READ: Sorsogon solon denies getting P10B for infra projects in 2018
“Gusto rin naming malaman kung nagsimula na ang bidding para sa mga P325-million projects na pinondohan ng DBM sa taong 2019 para lamang sa iisang bayan: sa Casiguran, Sorsogon (We want to know if the bidding has started for the P325-milion projects funded by the DBM for 2019 for one town: Casiguran, Sorsogon). These projects were included in the P75 billion inserted by the DBM in the NEP (National Expenditure Program) submitted to Congress,” he added.
The P325-million new projects in Casiguran — which include the Himaoyon Flood Control (P75 million); Lungib Seawall and Embankment (P80 million); Somal-ot Seawall and Embankment (P100 million); Cagpagol River Control (P45 million); and Suji River Control (P25 million) — are part again of the Flood Control Program, according to Andaya.
“Kailangang maipaliwanag sa amin ng DPWH kung bakit bumabaha ng flood-control projects sa Casiguran, ang bayan ni Mayor Edwin Hamor na balae ng ating DBM Secretary,” he said, referring to Budget Chief Benjamin Diokno.
(The DPWH need to explain why there are a lot of flood-control projects in Casiguran, the town of Mayor Edwin Hamor who is the in-law of the DBM Secretary.)
The House leader has been accusing Diokno of orchestrating the “insertion” of some P75-billion infrastructure fund in the proposed 2019 national budget without the knowledge of President Rodrigo Duterte, the DPWH as well those congressmen whose district would benefit from the fund.
READ: Andaya says Diokno behind P75-B insertion in DPWH budget
READ: Infra ‘insertions’ in 2019 budget P75B, not P51.8B — Diokno
But Diokno said the P75 billion should not be called “insertions” as these were “adjustments” which were part of the budget process.
READ: Diokno: P75-B ‘adjustment’ in DPWH 2019 budget is for infra commitment
The NEP, which contains the breakdown of proposed allocations in government, was prepared by the executive branch.
Andaya bared his exposès after Sen. Panfilo Lacson alleged that Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo got P2.4 billion in “pork barrel” funds while he got P1.9 billion. Both denied Lacson’s allegations. /ee
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