Senate panel cites contractors for contempt in flood control probe
The Senate blue ribbon panel conducted a hearing on flood control projects on Sept. 1, 2025.
LIVESTREAM: Senate blue ribbon panel hearing on anomalous flood control projects
MANILA, Philippines — The Senate blue ribbon panel cited for contempt all contractors who failed to appear at the upper chamber’s hearing Monday.
During the inquiry into the alleged irregularities in flood-control projects, Sen. Ronald dela Rosa moved to cite for contempt all invitees who were duly served with subpoenas but did not attend the Sept. 1 hearing.
Only two subpoenaed contractors failed to attend: Ma. Roma Angeline Rimando of St. Timothy Construction and Eumir Villanueva of Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc.
READ: Marcos: 15 firms corner big flood control works
“May I move to cite for contempt all these absent invitees so that warrants may be issued against them?” asked dela Rosa.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada seconded the motion.
Initially, the Senate panel’s committee secretary said only two subpoenaed contractors were absent, identifying them as Ma. Roma Angeline Rimando, owner and manager of St. Timothy Construction, and Eumir Villanueva, president of Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc.
Panel chair Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, who presided over the hearing, approved Dela Rosa’s motion.
“There was a motion and it has been seconded, that all persons invited and properly served subpoena[s] but did not appear [at] today’s hearing are all cited [for] contempt in preparation for the eventual issuance of a warrant of arrest,” Marcoleta said.
Later in the hearing, Rimando and Villanueva arrived.
READ: Firm with P250,000 capital bags P5-B flood control deals
Earlier, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. revealed the top 15 contractors that have secured the bulk of the government’s flood control projects.
Seven of these firms attended the blue ribbon panel’s hearing on Aug. 19, while the remaining eight were subpoenaed to appear at the Senate for the follow-up inquiry./mcm/abc
