Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito assured the public on Thursday, July 23, that the Senate’s probe into fraudulent flood control projects will proceed without interruption, even as the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte continues.
Addressing allegations that the trial is being used to distract from the infrastructure scandal, Ejercito emphasized that holding corrupt officials accountable remains a top priority.
”May nagsasabing ginagamit ang impeachment para matabunan ang isyu ng flood control. Hindi po totoo iyon. Hindi pa tapos ang imbestigasyon at sisiguraduhin nating maipagpapatuloy ito. Walang dapat makalusot sa paglustay ng pera ng taumbayan,” Ejercito stated.
The senator revealed that the Office of the Ombudsman is gearing up to file criminal charges against several key figures linked to the scheme.
“Ang sabi ni Ombudsman, walong ‘congtractors’ at ang next na makakasuhan,” he noted. “Dapat matukoy at mapanagot ang iba pang tunay na mga salarin, partikular ang mga ‘congtractor’ at ang mga nagpasimuno ng mga allocables.”
These upcoming legal actions follow the Ombudsman’s plan to prosecute at least eight members of the House of Representatives for conflict of interest over their ties to contractors that secured government contracts.
The moves stem from a partial report submitted on May 12 by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, which recommended charges against implicated lawmakers, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) staff, and various conduits.
Meanwhile, the Senate Impeachment Court concluded its third week of proceedings on Wednesday after the House prosecution team rested its presentation on Article IV of the complaint.
The prosecutors called National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag as their final witness for the charge, which involves alleged direct threats made by the Vice President against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Ejercito, who now heads the Senate Committee on Finance, stressed that the chamber’s legislative obligations—particularly the upcoming reviews for the 2027 national budget—will proceed in tandem with the ongoing trial.
”Parehong mahalaga ang pananagutan at maayos na pamamahala,” he asserted, committing to strict oversight of public funds.
“Ang bawat pisong mula sa buwis ng taumbayan ay dapat napupunta sa mga programang tunay na kailangan ng mga Pilipino. Hindi puwedeng masayang o manakaw ang pondong inilaan para sa flood control habang ang mga komunidad ay patuloy na binabaha,” Ejercito added.
“Nauunawaan natin ang galit at pagkadismaya ng ating mga kababayan. Kaya mas lalo nating paiigtingin ang pagbabantay sa bawat sentimo ng pondo ng bayan. Kailangang maibalik natin ang tiwala ng publiko sa pamamagitan ng isang budget na tapat, malinaw, at walang puwang ang korapsyon.”
The Senate is scheduled to resume regular sessions on Monday, July 27, coinciding with President Marcos’ Fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
To accommodate the address and allow the Senate Minority bloc time to present their counter-SONA speeches, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero announced that the impeachment court will pause proceedings on July 27 and 28.
The trial will resume on Wednesday, July 29, before shifting to a revised routine starting August 3, running from Monday through Wednesday between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., followed immediately by daily plenary sessions at 4:00 p.m.