SENATOR Francis Pangilinan on Thursday backed the creation of an independent commission to investigate alleged ghost flood control projects across the country.
“We support the creation by law of an independent investigative body that will look into these trillion pesos worth of corrupt flood control projects,” Pangilinan said, pointing to Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III’s proposed measure for an Independent People’s Commission (IPC).
The IPC’s mandate would be to investigate anomalies in all government infrastructure projects, including the flood control programs now under scrutiny. Pangilinan said these projects, suspected of being plagued by corruption, directly affect the safety of vulnerable communities.
He urged that the commission be led by respected figures such as former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, former Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, and Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong. “They should be ashamed. They should be punished… we support President Marcos in thoroughly investigating this,” Pangilinan said.
He added that social media has already exposed the lavish lifestyles of relatives of individuals allegedly linked to the ghost projects. He encouraged the public to remain vigilant and use online platforms to report displays of ill-gotten wealth. “Expose on social media these shameless displays that, instead of inspiring, only make people sick because of the wealth being flaunted that came from theft,” he said.
