Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong, in a hard-hitting interview on DZRH’s Dos Por Dos, said he was not surprised by the names of lawmakers linked to the alleged Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) flood-control scam, stressing that the politicians involved were already “well known” within political circles.

Responding to reports that the number of contractors involved in the scheme was more than 100, instead of the 67 initially cited, Magalong clarified that the data did not originate from him.

“‘Yong information na ‘yan na natanggap ko, unang-una hindi ako ang naglabas niyan, si Sen. Ping naglabas niyan, although nasabihan na ako tungkol diyan noong 2023,” Magalong said.

He pointed out that many legislators circumvented divestment rules by placing businesses under family members or relatives.

“Iba pa ‘yong congressman ka, hindi ka nga contractor, kunwari nagpa-divest-divest ka pa pero ‘yong pamilya mo naman, mga anak mo contractor mo [rin], o kaya kamag-anak mo. Pinaikutan mo lang ‘yong sistema. Work around lang eh. Niloloko n’yo lang kami.”

Commissions and insertions

When asked if any senators were free of commissions, Magalong singled out only one: “Alam ko sigurado ako si Sen. Ping hindi talaga, wala talaga ‘yan eh. Papanindigan ko ‘yan klilala ko ‘yan eh.”

Pressed further on congressmen, he admitted: “Pag-iisipan ko pa, nabigla ako sa tanong mo Ka-Tunying.”

He acknowledged that both senators and representatives shared responsibility for inflated budgets, saying, “Oo naman, inamin naman na ‘yan eh talagang merong insertion sa kanila. At ‘yon din ang pinapamigay nila sa mga local government, minsan ang mga local government nakapila eh.”

Magalong said much of the intelligence he gathered came directly from inside Congress, the DPWH, and even contractors themselves.

He detailed what he called “elaborate schemes” where lawmakers themselves acted both as contractors and suppliers, with project insertions openly traded within Congress. Magalong cited Congressman Zaldy Co as among the key players in these deals:

“Kung malapit ka kay Zaldy Co diyan eh presyong kapatid ‘yan eh, 15% kukunin mo. Pero kung kwan ka 25%... So bibigyan niya 20%. Ang gagawin lang niya ififlip lang niya, hahanap siya ng congressman, sa’yo ko ibabagsak to.”

On Zaldy Co

Magalong also cast doubt that Congressman Zaldy Co would return to the Philippines amid the surrounding controversy on the DPWH scam, saying: “Ay hindi na siguro babalik ‘yan. Hindi na babalik ‘yan baka sunugin siya rito eh.”

He claimed it was in the interest of those who benefited alongside Co to keep him from coming back, adding that former Speaker Martin Romualdez would likely ensure Co stayed out to avoid further revelations.

Magalong directly urged Co to speak out: “Sana bumalik siya rito at magsalita siya. Alangan naman siya lang ang makukulong habang ‘yong mga kasabwat niya ‘yong mga tao sa taas eh nag-eenjoy.”

He rejected narratives painting Co’s resignation as sacrifice. “Wala ba kayong konsensya? Ganyan na ba kayo kawalang-hiya dyan? Nagnakaw na ng husto, inabandona ‘yong kanyang trabaho rito, nagtatago na tapos sasabihin niyo ngayon sakripisyo.”

In a fiery rebuke, Magalong contrasted that notion of sacrifice with the struggles of teachers, workers, drivers, vendors, soldiers, and police. “For God’s sake, napakawalang-hiya niyo na diyan.”

Magalong emphasized that accountability must extend beyond Co. “Nagsusumikap talaga kaming tumulong para talagang makulong, kailangan may makulong eh. Hindi lang dapat si Zaldy Co ang makulong dito.”

Based on documents he collated, Magalong said even top congressional leaders should be investigated:

“Isa na diyan siguro si Speaker Romualdez na dapat makulong diyan. Kasi imposibleng hindi niya alam kung anong ginagawa ng tao niya. Napaka-imposible… kaya nga siya naging speaker tapos nagmamaang-maangan sila na wala silang ginawa.”

Magalong stressed that the fight for accountability in infrastructure anomalies will continue even outside the halls of Congress.

He said the movement of local leaders under the Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG) network remains determined to push reforms, while ensuring that their efforts align with existing institutions.