Former Congressman Mike Defensor called on the government to continue prioritizing the investigation into the alleged flood control anomalies even as the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte proceeds, saying the two issues should not be treated as mutually exclusive.
Speaking during an ambush interview at the surprise rally of Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) members at the EDSA People Power Monument on Tuesday, June 30, Defensor argued that the alleged irregularities involving flood control projects involve far greater amounts of public funds and deserve immediate attention.
“Yung impeachment, tagal nilang pinag-usapan yun, 125 Million... okay na 'yun nasa impeachment court na yun eh, dumadaan nga sa proseso yun. Eto 1.5 trillion,” Defensor said.
He distinguished the confidential funds issue from the ongoing flood control investigation, claiming that the former involves questions on the liquidation of government funds, while the latter centers on allegations of large-scale cash deliveries linked to infrastructure projects.
“Yung 125 Million, pondo yun, hindi yun sinasabing nakaw... sinasabi nilang pondo yun, na kinakailangang ayusin sa COA ang kanyang pag-audit... kanyang pag-liquidate sa COA,” he said.
Defensor cited testimonies and allegations previously raised by resource persons, including former officials, involving alleged cash deliveries amounting to billions of pesos.
“Itong pinag-uusapan natin, sinasabi ng mga sundalo, sinasabi ni Zaldy Co, delivery nila ng pera... Si Usec. Bernardo, 8 billion dineliver... iba pa yung kay Manny Bonoan,” he said.
He emphasized that the alleged transactions involved enormous sums of money in a single instance.
“Bilyon-bilyon, isang transaksyon lang ang pinag-uusapan—delivery ng pera,” Defensor said.
According to the former lawmaker, public sentiment favors giving priority to the flood control investigation because of the magnitude of the alleged losses.
“Kahit saan ka magtanong dito... sasabihin pa nila bakit hindi unahin ang flood control. Bilyon ang naging nakawan, bilyon ang nawawalang pera,” he added.
Despite his remarks, Defensor acknowledged that the impeachment case is already following the constitutional process before the impeachment court, while maintaining that the alleged flood control anomalies should continue to receive equal attention from authorities.
