Former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson on Friday called on the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) to conduct an investigation into alleged anomalies in flood control projects in Ilocos Norte, the home province of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
In an exclusive interview on DZRH's Damdaming Bayan, Singson claimed that the flood control projects in Ilocos Norte are “almost the same as the alleged scandal in Bulacan,” and questioned the involvement of controversial contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya, which he said that have secured billions in government projects.
“Ang mga Discaya ang sinasabi nila doon sa Ilocos Norte. Ang hamon ko nga, pasyalan naman natin. ICI, huwag na kayo lumayo sa Ilocos Norte muna para magkaroon ng kredibilidad ang ating pangulo bago magbintang ng iba,” Singson said, urging the commission to start its probe in the Marcos bailiwick.
According to Singson, a contractor identified as Discaya, through his company Megapolitan Builders and Construction Supply, received ₱2.7 billion worth of projects in Ilocos Norte alone. He alleged that Discaya operates multiple companies across the country and has benefited significantly from government contracts.
Singson also took aim at Laoag City Mayor Kames Bryan Alcid, claiming the official was already a favored contractor when he was still a city councilor — an apparent violation of conflict-of-interest rules.
“Ang paboritong contractor na mayor ngayon, konsehal pa lang paborito na. ₱4 billion mahigit ang binigay. Bawal nga ‘yun dahil mayor na siya, dapat disqualified dahil konsehal pa lang kontratista na,” Singson said.
The former governor pointed out that Ilocos Norte’s two congressional districts are both represented by members of the Marcos family — House Majority and Ilocos Norte Qst District Rep. Sandro Marcos and Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba.
“Yun nga ang kawawa si [Senator] Imee [Marcos], nadadamay pati tuloy siya,” Singson remarked, referring to Senator Imee Marcos.
He further claimed that Marcos preemptively distanced himself from the issue by flagging suspicious contractors in flood control projects during his State of the Nation Address (SONA).
“Nilaglag niya lahat para lang malayo sa kanya. Alam niyang puputok na ‘yan. Inunahan niya, ginamit niya ang SONA,” Singson alleged.
Singson criticized the President for approving a large portion of the national flood control budget, which he said became a source of corruption.
“Dahil wala namang pagpipiyestahan na flood control kung hindi niya inaprubahan eh. Siya ang nag-approve — ₱500 billion. Tinanggal niya ₱29 billion lang. Tinuloy mahigit ₱400 billion. Doon sila nag-insert ng insert ng senador,” he said.
Regarding the newly formed Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI), Singson expressed skepticism over its impartiality.
“Hindi ako naniniwala sa ICI. Pinagtatakpan nila ‘yung mga sasabihin. Kaya umaayaw na yata ang mga Discaya dahil ‘yung sasabihin nila, ‘huwag, huwag ‘yan.’ ‘Yung gusto lang nila ang palalabasin,” he claimed.
