Adiong takes offense over Magalong’s ‘moro-moro’ remark on flood probe

Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong. Photo from Adiong’s Facebook page.

MANILA, Philippines — House Deputy Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said on Thursday that he took offense to Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong’s statement labeling the flood control project probe as “moro-moro,” which he said is a word that carries “historical baggage” for Muslim communities.

A Muslim himself, Adiong urged Magalong to present his arguments with facts instead, pointing out that “sweeping labels damage the reputations of members who are doing the work in good faith and full view of the public.”

READ: Valeriano-on-inviting-magalong-to-flood-control-mess-probe-why-not

“As a Muslim, I take offense at the casual use of the term ‘moro-moro’ to describe an investigation. Words carry history. We can debate corruption with vigor, but we should never trivialize the struggles of Moro communities by turning that term into an insult,” Adiong said in a statement.

He explained that “moro-moro” carries historical baggage for Muslim communities since “it traces back to a Spanish-era folk drama that pitted ‘Christians’ against ‘Moros,’ a genre whose legacy is intertwined with colonial stereotypes and long-standing prejudice.”

Adiong pointed out that even though the term was commonly used when talking about “a sham or staged act,” many members of the Muslim community still find it insensitive in public discourse.

“I hope the language isn’t like that. In fact, I hope the attack isn’t like that. We are asking Mayor Magalong to please be sensitive in your language,” Adiong said in mixed Filipino and English.

“If you believe some House members are guilty, name them and present the proof. Do not condemn the entire House. Let’s not all do it. Many of us are innocent and are just working for our constituents,” he added.

Verifiable facts

Likewise, human rights committee chair and Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante said Magalong’s arguments should be anchored on verifiable facts, adding that the mayor should not resort to such labels.

Abante said his claims should be backed by documents and testimony under oath.

“If he believes some are guilty, name names, submit documents, and testify under oath. That is how we clean up the system,” Abante disclosed in a separate statement.

Earlier, two lawmakers — Manila 2nd District Rep. Rolando Valeriano and Leyte 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez — called out the “clean mayor” to specify who among the House members is linked to flood control project issues.

Valeriano said that the mayor should name names instead of throwing accusations against lawmakers of the lower chamber.

READ: Senators thank Lacson for exposing flood control projects’ anomalies

Gomez did not mention who the mayor was. But in an interview with OneNews last July, Magalong said that lawmakers have an influence on who the district or regional engineers of the DPWH would be, making it easy for lawmakers, engineering officials, and contractors to conspire in corrupt activities.

According to Magalong, contractors and sources have told him that lawmakers get as much as 35 to 40 percent of the contract price, and on average, 30 percent.

On Wednesday, the lawmakers of the lower chamber adopted a resolution authorizing the committees on public accounts, public works, and good government to probe the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) implementation of infrastructure projects, particularly flood-control ones.

Committee on Public Accounts chair and Bicol Saro Rep.Terry Ridon lodged the House Bill No. 145 last August 12. According to Ridon, the tri-comm’s goal is to identify anomalous flood control projects, which would be the “trigger” for deeper investigations, including possible ties of lawmakers to these contractors. /mr