The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, chaired by Senator Rodante D. Marcoleta, will begin its investigation on anomalous flood control projects on Tuesday, August 19.

Marcoleta acknowledged the difficulty of leading the inquiry, citing the scale of the multi-billion peso projects and the complexity of corruption within the public works system. He expressed confidence, however, that the task can be accomplished with the cooperation of key resource persons and the public.

“Sa Martes uumpisahan ko na yung flood control investigation sa Blue Ribbon. Medyo challenging yan, mahirap talaga sa laki ng problemang kinakaharap natin d’yan,” Marcoleta said in his Net 25 program Sa Ganang Mamamayan.

“Ngunit ako’y naniniwala na kaya nating imbestigahan yan. Makipag-cooperate lang ang taong bayan, matutukoy natin kung sino may mga kasalanan d’yan,” he added.

The senator said the probe will not only cover contractors but also public officials allegedly profiting from substandard projects, which he noted put entire communities at risk of destructive flooding.

He lamented that after corrupt officials take their share from project funds, “more than half the cost of the project would have already been spent,” resulting in poor quality and integrity of flood control structures.

Marcoleta urged contractors to disclose the payoffs they provide to government officials. “Sabihin n’yo kung magkano binibigay n’yo sa mga taong gobyerno para hindi kayo ang madidikdik d’yan. O yan lang muna ang aking masasabi,” he said.

He also appealed to the public to support the Senate inquiry by submitting reliable information, documents, and photos. “Lahat po ng mamamayan na may kakayahan na makipag-ugnayan sa aking opisina, basta po may maitutulong kayo tatanggapin po namin yan, lalong-lalo na ang mga information na reliable. May mga litrato po kayo, napaka importante po n’yan,” Marcoleta said.

“Ngayon pa lang marami nang nagfi-feed sa akin, kinakailangan lang i-screen mo lahat, kinakailangang i-vet mo lahat kasi baka ang iba gumawa na, baka mamaya AI, di naman pala [totoo],” he added.

The committee’s organizational meeting and first public hearing will be held on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. in the Senate session hall.