THE inquiry into the flood-control mess, described as the biggest corruption scandal in the country, will proceed with dispatch as soon as the 20th Congress convenes for its Second Regular Session next week.
The assurance was given at the weekend by the Senate Blue-Ribbon committee chairman, Sen. Erwin Tulfo, even as several lawmakers have been at loggerheads the past months over the manner the inquiry has been handled by different bodies.
In a radio interview, Tulfo clarified the proper process in convening a Senate Committee: ‘In the morning of [July] 27, which is the Sona [State of the Nation Address] day, we will formalize the Blue-Ribbon committee. We cannot conduct a hearing yet because the membership has not yet been finalized. There will still be submissions of names to complete the membership and have it declared on the floor-so it becomes official.’
Tulfo continued: ‘We will have flood control investigation. But what if the same names as to those who were charged by the Ombudsman due to the first Blue Ribbon Committee Report will come up again? Are we going to repeat it? There has to be new names,’ he said.
The flood control mess broke out wide into the open a year ago, when President Marcos used his Sona to call out government officials and big-time contractors that he said had laid waste billions for flood control but left many Filipinos at the mercy of destructive floods. Days before his 2025 Sona, the country witnessed a string of typhoons that laid bare the substandard infrastructure for flood control.
As the Chairman, Tulfo said he will invite all the stakeholders and will introduce new rules such as stricter treatment on affidavits and prohibition on surprise witnesses. All these reforms, according to Tulfo, will be introduced properly once the panel is officially convened.
Infrastructure masterplan
TULFO then emphasized that apart from seeking accountability on the flood control mess, a proactive effort to prevent the flood control scam from happening again, requires a Philippine Infrastructure Masterplan so projects will not rely on politics.
‘The flood control scam, being out in the open, can be considered a blessing in disguise. We discovered that the reason behind the non-stop flooding problem, our roads. It’s because the funds are being pocketed,’ Tulfo said. ‘For too long, infrastructure planning has largely been tied to the priorities of each administration. If we, have a masterplan, it doesn’t matter where the next President would be coming from,’ he added.
He then urged his colleagues to support the push for his Senate Bil 1360 or the ‘Masterplan for Infrastructure and National Development [MIND] Act.’
The said bill will establish a whole-of-government strategy so infrastructure projects in the country. Projects with national significance will be prioritized but the measure will ensure that these will be connected to regional and sectoral development plans.
Once Tulfo’s MIND Act turns into a law, it will harmonize all infrastructure projects from big-ticket to minor ones. ‘This measure will also help ensure that public resources are used more efficiently. If we have good planning, we will remove duplication, ramp up implementation, and bolster accountability. Every peso invested in infrastructure should create the greatest possible benefit for the Filipinos,’ he concluded.