Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada confirmed that Senate Majority Leader Rodante Marcoleta is planning to investigate flood control projects and allegedly unfair joint venture agreements between water utilities and some local government units (LGUs).
This follows President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28, calling for a probe into these issues.
“I believe so and I’ve heard Sen. Marcoleta has plans to investigate motu proprio. He doesn’t need a resolution,” Estrada said.
Marcoleta currently chairs the Senate Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations, more commonly known as the Blue Ribbon Committee.
His plans reportedly include looking into the allocation of funds for flood control projects that the public claims had no visible impact during recent calamities. He also intends to investigate complaints about the poor service of certain water utilities, particularly PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation.
PrimeWater is owned by the Villar family, which includes Senators Mark and Cynthia Villar—both political allies of Marcoleta within the so-called “Duterte bloc” in the Senate.