AMID growing concerns over the involvement of a commissioner of the Commission on Audit (COA) in the flood control corruption scandal, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Wednesday, September 24, called on the state auditors to conduct a comprehensive probe of all their auditors involved in the planning, approval, and execution of infrastructure programs related to flood mitigation.
This call comes after former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara named COA Commissioner Mario Lipana for having requested a list of flood control projects under his district to facilitate some P1.4 billion worth of budget insertions for flood control projects.
Lipana’s wife–Marilou–serves as the president and general manager of Olympus Mining and Builders Group Philippines Corporation, and has bagged several flood control contracts worth P326 million, according to the COA hearing at the House of Representatives last Sept. 11.
“Saan ka naman nakakita na COA commissioner ka tapos maglalako ka ng listahan ng flood control projects? Tapos malalaman natin na ang kanyang misis pala ay isang contractor ng DPWH na nakatanggap ng daan-daang milyong halaga na kontrata?,” the senator asked.
“Hindi ba maling-mali naman iyon? Kaya hinihikayat natin ang COA na magsagawa ng sarili nilang imbestigasyon sa kanilang mga auditors,” he added.
The senator emphasized the urgent need for transparency and accountability, particularly in the wake of public outrage over alleged misuse of public funds earmarked for critical flood control systems.
He cited reports and testimonies suggesting possible irregularities in procurement processes, substandard project implementation, and potential collusion between public officials and private contractors.
“Bawat pisong ninakaw mula sa mga proyektong ito ay pagtataksil sa taong bayan, lalong lalo na yung mga buhay, bahay, at pangkabuhayan na nalalagay sa panganib tuwing may bagyo, ulan, at baha,” Pangilinan said.
Over the weekend, tens of thousands of people took to the streets for the “Trillion Peso March” to protest the multi-billion peso flood control corruption scandal that involves high-ranking government officials and several private contractors.
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