MANILA—Senator Bam Aquino called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to act promptly on the ongoing flood control corruption cases, emphasizing that the public is seeking justice amid the recent typhoons and calamities that have battered the country.

“Siguro po napansin po nila na malungkot ang Christmas ng mga tao? Mahirap po magkaroon ng Christmas spirit ngayon, tuloy-tuloy yung mga bagyo, mga typhoon, at maraming sakuna,” Aquino told Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing.

“But the people are also seeking justice. So we will hold you to that, Prosecutor General, that there will be a resolution to these cases by the middle of December,” he added.

Fadullon assured Aquino that the DOJ will resolve the five active cases by mid-December and will file additional cases with the Office of the Ombudsman before the year ends.

“Titiyakin po namin na itong mga kaso na ito ay maresolba, at iyong ibang kaso po na patuloy na iniimbestigahan ay maisasampa at maire-refer na rin sa Office of the Ombudsman before the end of the year,” Fadullon said, noting that corroborated evidence is required before charges can be filed.

“Kaya ang nagiging dahilan kung bakit tayo naaantala is because hinahanap po natin iyong corroboration para doon sa mga tao na nagbibigay ng kanilang salaysay sa Department of Justice,” he explained.

Aquino also pressed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to fulfill its commitment to launch a transparency portal that will allow the public to access all contracts across DPWH districts nationwide.

“Last time tayo nagkita, nangako po si DPWH Secretary (Vince) Dizon ng transparency portal. Is this already operational?” Aquino asked DPWH Undersecretary Arthur Bisnar.

Bisnar replied that the portal would be launched “very soon” and assured a timeline of “within a month’s time” when pressed.

“That will be a big step. Huwag sana pong ma-delay iyong launch po niyan,” Aquino said, highlighting the importance of transparency in restoring public trust.

Aquino earlier sponsored Senate Bill No. 1506, also known as the Citizen Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability (CADENA) Act or the Blockchain the Budget Act, which mandates all government agencies to upload budget-related documents—including contracts, project costs, bills of materials, and procurement details—on a digital platform to ensure accountability, traceability, and tamper-resistant public records.

“Sinisigurado ng CADENA Act na mababantayan ng taumbayan ang pinaghirapan nilang buwis, at malalaman ng sambayanang Pilipino kung paano ginagastos ang kaban ng bayan. Kaya sigurado ako na ang tanging matatakot lang sa CADENA ay ang mga kurakot na mayroong tinatago,” Aquino said.