Former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson Speaks on ICI Flood Control Probe
CHAVIT SINGSON – The former Governor of Ilocos Sur claimed that the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) should start their flood control probe in Marcos Jr.’s bailiwick, Ilocos Norte.
The flood control corruption in the Philippines left countless Filipinos dismayed. In Bulacan, Pres. Bongbong Marcos was left angry by the P55-million ‘ghost’ Riverwall project. The receipts showed that the said project has already been paid in full.
In the same province, Marcos Jr. also called out a contractor, the St. Timothy Construction, over an incomplete and substandard flood control project. The said construction firm is one of the 15 contractors flagged by the President for allegedly getting around P100 billion from the P545-billion total spending on government flood control deals since his term started.
The St. Timothy Construction is one of the companies linked to Pacifico and Sarah Discaya. During a Senate flood probe, the couple named the officials of the government and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) who allegedly received kickback from the flood control deals.
The controversial contractors brought with them a joint affidavit during the Senate flood probe. They accused the following government officials of allegedly receiving kickback from the government flood control projects:
- Former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez
- Quezon City Cong. Arturo “Arjo” Atayde
- Marikina Cong. Marcy Teodoro
- Pasig Cong. Roman Romulo
- Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co
Presidential cousin and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez recently resigned from being the House Speaker of the lower legislative chamber amid the accusations. He previously denied the flood control corruption accusation citing that he is “self-made”.
Amid the flood control mess in the Philippines, Marcos Jr. ordered the creation of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure or ICI. The independent body for infrastructure probe has the power to move for the seizure of assets as well as the issuance of subpoena. Recently, former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson spoke on the ICI flood probe.
Based on a report on PhilStar, former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson claimed that the ICI should start their flood control probe in Ilocos Norte, the bailiwick of the Marcoses. He claimed that some of the flood control projects in the province were allegedly contracted by the firms of Curlee and Sarah Discaya.
“I mentioned Ilocos Norte because that’s where the President came from,” The former Governor said.
Chavit Singson made the statement at a press conference at Club Filipino in San Juan. Based on the report, he also mentioned the Discaya-linked construction firms that allegedly have projects in Ilocos Norte:
- St. Matthew Construction
- St. Gerrard Construction
- St. Timothy Construction
- Alpha and Omega Construction
Amid the flood control mess in the country, public protest actions are set for tomorrow, September 21. However, as for former Gov. Chavit Singson, he urged the students to boycott classes until all government officials who are corrupt resign.