.
By Charmaine A. Tadalan, January 9 2019; Business World
https://www.bworldonline.com/house-committee-ombudsman-coordinating-on-alleged-flood-control-scam/
Image Credit to Philippine Daily Inquirer
THE HOUSE of Representatives’ rules committee is already coordinating with the Office of the Ombudsman for an investigation on the alleged flood control scam, House Majority Leader Rolando G. Andaya, Jr. said on Wednesday. “Some of these investigators have already made contact with the House rules committee. They are requesting for copies of testimonial and documentary evidence, which our committee generated during the public hearing in Naga City,” Mr. Andaya, who represents the 1st district of Camarines Sur, said in a statement. “Apparently, the Office of the Ombudsman has noticed red flags of corruption on the evidence presented and on the testimonies made during the hearing,” he added. The House committee uncovered during the hearing last week that flood mitigation projects are targeted for “parked funds” due to the lack of a comprehensive plan. House Minority Leader Danilo E. Suarez, for his part, said he will support the majority leader if he chooses to file a complaint against Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno before the Ombudsman. “I will co-sign the charges against him (Diokno), if Nonoy will ask me,” Mr. Suarez, who represents the 3rd district of Quezon, said in a briefing on Wednesday. — Charmaine A. Tadalan