Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has raised concerns over Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Mario Lipana’s alleged ₱1.4 billion worth of project insertions, as new revelations from the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing emerge.
In an exclusive interview at DZRH Damdaming Bayan on Thursday, September 25, the senator was asked about Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Mario Lipana, stating that former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara indicated his involvement in the anomalous flood control projects.
Pangilinan explained that Lipana’s wife, Marilou Laurio Lipana, is a contractor. Moreover, the COA Commissioner is reportedly a resident of Bulacan, which raises “red flags” regarding the testimony.
“Kaya dito pa marami nang red flag na kung tawagin ang COA....ano ba ito? Komisyon o audit? Ibig sabihin, pag hindi ka nagbigay ng komisyon, eh i-audit ka. Pagka may komisyon, eh wala nang audit," Pangilingan questioned.
"'Yun ang conflict of interest. Lalo na't misis niya ang kontraktor. So paano ito? Masama ang naging gawa ng DPWH, paano i-audit?” he added. “Assuming mayroong ghost project o substandard at involved yung misis niya, hindi kaya gamitin niya 'yung posisyon niya para nga hindi na mabantayan at hindi na ma-audit itong mga proyektong ito? These are valid questions na kinakailangang magpaliwanag si Commissioner Lipana."
How many projects were there?
Citing Alcantara, Pangilinan said Lipana’s wife had projects worth ₱500 million in 2022, another ₱500 million in 2023, and ₱400 million in 2024. All these amount to ₱1.4 billion worth of insertions linked to Commissioner Lipana.
Moreover, the said projects were also projects for Bulacan.
‘Auditor nila, i-audit nila’
“Isa pa pala ang hiling natin sa COA, sa lahat ng lugar na may controversial na flood control projects, kinakailangan ma-audit yung mga auditor—auditor nila, i-audit nila— Dahil kung yung commissioner mismo ay nasasangkot. Hindi kaya dito sa mga kontrobersyal na nakalampas, lumampas ng 2023, lumampas ng 2024, kung hindi pa naisiwalat at na-exposé, Doon ngayon kailangan magpaliwanag itong mga auditor ng mga rehiyon at mga distrito na mayroong flood control controversy,” Pangilinan said, adding that Mindoro, Tarlac, and Pampanga were also mentioned.
An invitation for Lipana?
When asked whether Lipana would be invited to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearings, Pangilingan said that the former should be invited and explain the allegations against him.
“Again, we are looking…ano ang sinasabi ng ebidensya base sa mga salaysay. At kung ‘yung ebidensya ba ay matibay-tibay dahil mayroon ding mga ebidensyang gawa-gawa. Kaya kailangan natin busisiin ito ng husto. May ebidensyang... half truth, ika nga, hindi whole truth. Kaya kinakailangan natin busisiin din ng husto,” Pangilingan asserted.
Alcantara earlier revealed that Lipana had asked for a list of projects in Bulacan in previous years and alleged that the former inserted at least ₱1.4 billion worth of projects, which were assumed to be for his wife’s firm.
His wife, Marilou, serves as the president and general manager of Olympus Mining and Builders Group Philippines Corp.
