MANILA – Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has called on the Commission on Audit (COA) to investigate allegations linking one of its commissioners to kickbacks from controversial flood control projects.

Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan District Engineer Henry Alcantara alleged that COA Commissioner Mario Lipana received kickbacks from 2023 to 2025. Alcantara also disclosed that Lipana’s wife, Marilou, is an active government contractor who had secured several projects, raising conflict-of-interest concerns since both hail from Bulacan.

In a radio interview, Pangilinan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, said Alcantara’s testimony raised several “red flags.” Alcantara claimed Lipana personally contacted him and visited three times to request a list of projects.

“Ano ba ito komisyon? o audit? Ganun ba yun? Kapag hindi ka nagbigay ng komisyon ay i-aaudit ka, kapag may komisyon ay wala nang audit. Yun ang conflict of interest. Lalo na misis niya ang contractor,” Pangilinan said.

The senator warned that if it were proven Marilou Lipana was involved in substandard or ghost projects, it could mean her husband failed to subject her contracts to proper auditing—an act that could constitute an impeachable offense.

“These are valid questions na kinakailangang magpaliwanag si Commissioner Lipana,” Pangilinan said.

He urged the COA to extend its probe to all regional and district auditors linked to questionable flood control projects, citing controversies in Mindoro, Tarlac, Pampanga, and other provinces.

“Kailangan magpaliwanag ng mga auditors ng mga rehiyon at distrito na meron flood control controversies—Mindoro, Tarlac, Pampanga, at ilan pang mga lugar na nabanggit (sa exposé),” he added.

Pangilinan also reminded the public to carefully weigh the evidence, noting that some testimonies may be fabricated or incomplete.

“Kasi may mga ebidensya rin na gawa gawa kaya kailangan busisiin ng husto. May mga ebidensya na half truth at hindi whole truth. We have to weigh his testimony carefully,” he said.

He emphasized that Filipinos demand accountability, warning against attempts to hide the truth.

“Ang gusto natin walang cover up. Ang gusto natin katotohanan. At yun din, hindi papayag ang taumbayan sa cover up and hindi papayag ang taumbayan na nililihis ang katotohanan,” Pangilinan said.

Citing past corruption scandals, the senator underscored the role of the judiciary in ensuring accountability. He noted that lighter penalties and acquittals in cases such as the Napoles plunder scam eroded public trust in the justice system.

“Tulad ng sinasabi rin ng ating mga kababayan eh wala naman nakukulong, wala naman napaparusahan, at ang agam agam nila kung ganoon ang nangyayari sa nakaraan eh baka ganon din ang mangyayari dito,” he said. “Rebolusyon na ang magiging resulta. Aaklas na kapag nakita nila ‘di nagreresponde ang justice system.”