Former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson issued a provocative challenge to the Senate on Friday, calling for a transparent investigation into systemic corruption within the government’s flood control projects.
Singson asserted that the burden of truth now rests with Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson to identify the high-ranking officials behind what he characterizes as the most massive corruption scandal in the nation’s history.
In a televised interview, Singson highlighted the Senate’s unique position to act, particularly following remarks from former House Speaker and Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez, who previously deflected accountability toward the executive branch.
“Kung di pagtatakpan sa Senado, tapos na. Pero nasa kamay ngayon ni… Lacson. Sa pagkakilala ko sa kanya, hindi naman nagsisinungaling yan. Ewan ko yan bakit pinagtatakpan.”
(“If the Senate does not cover it up, it’s over. But it’s now in the hands of… Lacson. From what I know of him, he doesn’t lie. I don’t know why it’s being covered up.”)
Singson warned that any perceived attempt to shield the administration, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., would result in a severe loss of credibility for the Senate leadership.
“Kung mag-privilege speech siya (at) pagtatakpan niya si… Marcos, lalong wala namang naniniwala sa kanya, lalong mapapasama siya. Kung sabihin niya ang totoo, which I don’t think na hindi niya alam ang nangyayari. Kung magsabi lang ng totoo, tapos na.”
(“If he delivers a privilege speech and covers up for… Marcos, all the more people won’t believe him, and it will be worse for him. If he tells the truth—which I don’t think he doesn’t know what’s happening—if he just tells the truth, it’s finished.”)
The former governor lamented what he described as a “culture of silence” within the current government, claiming that whistleblowers are being intimidated while the architects of the scheme remain protected.
“Yan nga ang masama sa gobyerno natin. Lahat yung nakakaalam sa flood control, pinipigilan nila, pinagtatakpan. Yung mga nagsasalita, sila iniimbestiga, kinukulong pa.”
(“That is what is wrong with our government. Everyone who knows about the flood control, they stop them, they cover it up. Those who speak out are the ones investigated and even jailed.”)
Furthering his allegations, Singson claimed that both Romualdez and Marcos were involved from the project’s inception, allegedly enlisting former House Appropriations Chairman Zaldy Co to manage the logistics of the irregular transactions.
“Ni-recruit nila si Zaldy Co to do the dirty job. And then nung nagbakasyon, ayaw nang pabalikin.”
(“They recruited Zaldy Co to do the dirty job. And then when he went on vacation, they didn’t want him to come back.”)
The Department of Justice recently confirmed that Co is no longer in Czech custody and is currently believed to be moving within the Schengen area or seeking political asylum in France.