The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has ordered the issuance of subpoenas against private contractors who failed to attend its hearing on alleged irregularities in flood control projects across the country.
During the hearing on Tuesday, August 19, out of the 15 contractors identified by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as having secured a large share of government flood control projects, only seven present and sent representatives.
Committee chair Senator Rodante Marcoleta approved the motion of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to subpoena the eight absent contractors to ensure their attendance in the next hearing.
"May I move for the issuance of subpoena to those absent invited resource persons, particularly yung mga contractors, Mr. Chair, to require them to be present in the next hearing," said Dela Rosa.
The contractors under scrutiny were reported to have cornered more than 20 percent of the government’s ₱545-billion allocation for flood control projects.
"Siguro when we invite them, I mean not invite, subpoena them next hearing, they have to come up with a reasonable answer. Hindi yung may sakit, may nauna, parang ginagago itong committee natin na may sakit, nagbakasyon na, may mga prior schedule. Ano mas importante, prior schedule, Mr. Chair? Or itong investigation na ito? Because ₱544 billion ang pinag-uusapan natin, not a small change," Tulfo said.
Of the 15 contractors invited, 11 responded, but only seven were represented by their owner or an official representative.
Former Pasig City mayoral candidate Sarah Discaya, who owns two firms out of 15 contractors, was also absent from the Senate probe, citing prior commitments in a letter she sent to the committee.
The following contractors did not attend the Senate hearing and were issued subpoenas:
- President Cezarah Dizcaya, Alpha & Omega General Contractor & Development Corp.
- President Romeo C. Miranda, Royal Crown Monarch Construction & Supplies Corp.
- President/CEO Aderma Angelie Alcazar, Sunwest Inc.
- General Manager Mark Allan Arevalo, Wawao Builders
- Owner/Manager Ma. Roma Angeline Romando, St. Timothy Construction Corp.
- President Edgar Acosta, Hi-Tone Construction & Development Corp.
- President Luisito Tiqui, L.R. Tiqui Builders Inc.
- President Eumir Villanueva, Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc.
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, who was set to deliver his opening statement, immediately inquired whether representatives from the construction firms invited to the Senate inquiry on flood control projects were present.
Estrada then moved to subpoena the owners or presidents of the corporations that failed to attend the hearing to compel their appearance in the next session, Dela Rosa had earlier filed a similar motion.
However, Marcoleta clarified that while 11 contractors responded to the Senate’s invitation, only seven actually sent representatives.
"Karamihan sa kanila Senator Jinggoy, nagkasakit lahat, ‘yung iba siguro ninerbiyos," said Marcoleta.
Senator Win Gatchalian, meanwhile, recommended that the committee summon company owners directly instead of sending representatives.
"May I recommend to our Senate President Pro Tempore to subpoena the owners of the corporations, not merely representatives. Kasi nasubukan na natin dito yan, pag representatives, wala hong isasagot ho iyan. So doon po sa general information sheet, the articles of incorporation, nakasulat ho doon sino may-ari. Papuntahin ho'y may-ari at saka Presidente ng kumpanya," Senator Win Gatchalian suggested.
The inquiry follows Marcos' directive in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July to review flood control projects across the country.
