Suplico seeks probe into P1.8B flood control projects

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Iloilo 5th District Board Member Rolex T. Suplico has urged an investigation into more than PHP1.8 billion worth of flood control projects in his district since 2022, during a privilege speech titled “Deluge” at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s regular session on Tuesday, August 19.

Suplico cited figures from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s newly launched “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website, an online portal for citizens to report problems with flood control projects.

According to Suplico, only four towns out of 11 in the 5th District—Estancia (PHP19.3 million), Concepcion (PHP49.5 million), Ajuy (PHP816.6 million), and Barotac Viejo (PHP610.2 million)—were listed on the site.

He noted, however, that seven additional projects amounting to PHP660 million were not reflected in the database, bringing the total to PHP1.842 billion. Based on project billboards, these include:

1. PHP143.299 million awarded to Jejor’s Construction Corporation for a project in Poblacion, San Dionisio.
2. PHP59.088 million awarded to A. D. Pendon Construction and Supply for a project in Poblacion, Carles.
3. PHP144.549 million awarded to A. D. Pendon Construction and Supply for a project in Bancal, Carles.
4. PHP56.706 million awarded to Jejor’s Construction Corp. for a project in Mangorocoro, Ajuy.
5. PHP85.156 million awarded to C’Zarles Construction and Supply for a project in Pili, Ajuy.
6. PHP76.134 million awarded to A. D. Pendon Construction and Supply for a project in Mangorocoro, Ajuy.
7. PHP95.341 million awarded to QM Builders for a project in Mangorocoro, Ajuy.

“These insertions were certainly made by members of Congress. They were not in the original budget proposed by the Executive… I am of the opinion that they were resorted to by the Bicameral Conference Committee or even the Small Bicam,” Suplico said, referring to alleged congressional amendments during budget deliberations.

He stressed that public funds were at stake, citing the 1987 Constitution’s mandate that public office is a public trust. He then urged the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to refer his speech to the Committee on Infrastructure for a formal probe.

The call comes after President Marcos’s 4th State of the Nation Address, where he denounced alleged racketeering in government projects, particularly flood control works.

The President has since ordered a performance audit, full disclosure of projects, and filing of cases against erring officials and contractors.

The issue gained further traction after Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong and other leaders alleged that lawmakers and contractors benefit from “kickback schemes” that consume as much as 58% of project costs.

During the session, several provincial board members weighed in.

Fellow 5th District Board Member Darl Tupas asked Suplico if he had personally visited the projects.

Suplico replied that he had inspected some but found no irregularities yet.

Tupas then suggested expanding the probe to cover all districts of Iloilo.

Second District Board Member June Mondejar also pushed for the inclusion of his district.

Meanwhile, 3rd District Board Member Jason Gonzales cautioned against widening the probe without first defining its scope.

“I disagree with the proposition that we widen the scope of investigation. When I review the privilege speech, it’s not clear to me what exactly we are investigating and on what grounds,” Gonzales said.

He pointed out that while Suplico claimed the additional PHP660 million worth of projects were “insertions,” such amendments by Congress are not automatically illegal.

“The insertion by itself is not illegal, although it can be politically controversial. It depends on when it was made. If it was made with transparency during the bicameral conference itself, then it is not illegal, per se,” he explained.

Gonzales further warned that without well-defined objectives, the investigation could risk being perceived as a “witch hunt.”

He stressed that the provincial board must set clear parameters before referring the matter to a committee.

“It should not be a case where we just throw this to the Committee on Infrastructure and let them do the heavy lifting without us defining what exactly it is that we want to investigate,” he said.

Instead of an across-the-board probe, Gonzales proposed that concerned citizens and local officials in each district review flood control projects in their areas and then bring forward specific complaints supported by evidence of irregularities such as substandard work or ghost projects.

In closing, the provincial board agreed to lay Suplico’s privilege speech on the table, with action points to be discussed at the proper time.