House Assistant Majority Leader and Las Piñas Lone District Representative Mark Anthony Santos urged the Senate leadership to exercise restraint in issuing public statements related to the ongoing investigation into the alleged multi-billion peso irregularities in government-funded flood control projects.
Santos made the appeal following Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III’s remarks expressing doubt over the alleged involvement of the Villar family in the controversy, saying he believes they are being “unfairly targeted.”
According to Santos, Sotto should be cautious in making comments that could be interpreted as prematurely absolving or defending Senator Mark Villar and former Senator Cynthia Villar, who were recently linked by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla to the irregularities in flood control projects.
“Dapat maging maingat si Senador Sotto sa kanyang mga pahayag. Maaaring ituring itong panghuhusga sa resulta ng imbestigasyon — o mas masahol pa, na parang pinapanigan niya ang mga Villar upang protektahan ang alyansang pampulitika. Mas mabuting manahimik muna at hayaang ang ebidensya ang magsalita,” Santos cautioned.
The lawmaker underscored that public officials, especially those in high office, should avoid comments that could influence or undermine the integrity of ongoing investigations.
“Hayaan nating matapos ang imbestigasyon. Ang anumang maagang pagtatanggol sa mga nasasangkot ay nakakasira sa kredibilidad ng proseso. Kung gusto talaga natin ng katarungan, dapat hayaang gawin ng Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) at ng Ombudsman ang kanilang tungkulin nang walang panghihimasok,” he said.
Santos emphasized that his appeal for restraint is rooted in the need to preserve public trust in accountability mechanisms and ensure that the process remains free from political interference.
“Hindi trabaho ng Senate President na maglinis ng pangalan ng kahit sino sa media. Ang tungkulin niya ay tiyaking nanaig ang katotohanan at pananagutan. Kung tunay siyang naniniwala sa patas na proseso, dapat niyang suportahan ang imbestigasyon imbes na pagdudahan ito,” he added.
The congressman concluded by stressing that the issue goes beyond politics, pointing out that no one — not even powerful political families — should be placed above the law.
“Hindi ito usaping pampulitika — ito ay usapin ng pananagutan. Kung walang itinatago, walang dapat katakutan. Ngunit walang sinuman, kahit pa makapangyarihang pamilya sa politika, ang dapat ilagay sa itaas ng batas,” Santos asserted.