House leaders on Wednesday said it may be more appropriate for a third party to investigate alleged irregularities in flood control projects, amid concerns that lawmakers themselves may be implicated.
The House Committee on Public Accounts, chaired by Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, has already begun looking into the projects, which President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. flagged in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last month.
“Why would a body investigate itself? I think it would be wise and prudent on us to wait as to what the executive has to say and what their actions are with regards to the President’s speech in the SONA,” said House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, the President’s son.
“I think we shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves,” he added, stressing that he sees “nothing wrong” in allowing a third party to take the lead.
“Again, this is all about transparency and accountability. That’s why we have an open budget. That’s why we’re doing what we’re doing. So whatever helps towards transparency, whatever helps towards accountability, everyone and anyone should be on board for it,” Marcos said.
He emphasized that while the House can help flag possible anomalies in infrastructure spending, the primary task rests with the executive branch, since “the accused, so to speak, are within the legislature.”
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which oversees and implements infrastructure projects, falls under the executive branch.
“There are plenty of things to be probed that are not solely reliant or do not rely upon the anomalies that the executive spoke about. The House can assist in many, many other ways,” Marcos said.