MANILA — Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan urged the Commission on Audit (COA) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into its auditors allegedly involved in irregularities surrounding flood control projects.

The call came after former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara named COA Commissioner Mario Lipana for requesting a list of flood control projects in his district to facilitate some P1.4 billion worth of budget insertions.

During a House of Representatives hearing on September 11, it was revealed that Lipana’s wife, Marilou, is the president and general manager of Olympus Mining and Builders Group Philippines Corporation, which had secured P326 million in flood control contracts.

“Saan ka naman nakakita na COA commissioner ka tapos maglalako ka ng listahan ng flood control projects? Tapos malalaman natin na ang kanyang misis pala ay isang contractor ng DPWH na nakatanggap ng daan-daang milyong halaga na kontrata?” Pangilinan asked.

“Hindi ba maling-mali naman iyon? Kaya hinihikayat natin ang COA na magsagawa ng sarili nilang imbestigasyon sa kanilang mga auditors,” he added.

The senator stressed the need for transparency and accountability following public outrage over the alleged misuse of funds allocated for flood control systems. He cited reports suggesting irregularities in procurement, substandard project implementation, and possible collusion between officials and contractors.

“Bawat pisong ninakaw mula sa mga proyektong ito ay pagtataksil sa taong bayan, lalong lalo na yung mga buhay, bahay, at pangkabuhayan na nalalagay sa panganib tuwing may bagyo, ulan, at baha,” he said.

Over the weekend, tens of thousands of people joined the “Trillion Peso March” to protest the multi-billion peso flood control corruption scandal that allegedly involves top government officials and private contractors.