Castro on Magalong’s offer to lead flood control probes: Just give proof
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong
MANILA, Philippines — Instead of appointing a lead investigator, Malacañang on Thursday urged Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong to reveal all his information regarding anomalous flood-control projects directly to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
This suggestion came after Magalong volunteered to lead the investigation into dubious infrastructure projects that leave several parts of the country submerged in floodwaters during the rainy season.
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“Our president has already provided the mechanism and system for how this will be investigated. He has also given a directive to the Regional Project Monitoring Committees,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said at a briefing.
“And whatever assistance Mayor Magalong can offer, it will be better for him to present it directly to the president. And perhaps, there’s no need for someone to lead the probe anymore since the president has already provided a mechanism and system for the investigation,” she added, brushing off the city mayor’s proposal.
It was Magalong who alleged that at least 67 congressmen were involved in tapping contractors as “fronts” to bag infrastructure projects from the government.
This revelation came after Marcos issued a stern warning to officials involved in corruption related to flood control projects during his recent State of the Nation Address.
“Let us not pretend anymore. The whole public already knows the racketeering going on involving the projects – kickbacks, initiative, errata, SOP (standard operating procedures), ‘for the boys,'” he said in his speech at the Plenary hall.
“Shame on you. (Mahiya naman kayo.) Be ashamed because our fellow Filipinos were swept by floods or were submerged in floodwaters. Be ashamed of our children who will inherit that debt incurred because of what you committed – because you pocketed the funds,” the chief executive blurted. /apl
