Conflict disclosures in House flood control probe hinge on lawmakers’ honesty

MANILA, Philippines — The House Infrastructure Committee will require members of its three subpanels to submit sworn statements declaring they have no links or “conflict of interest” in the flood control projects under investigation.

The move was made by Rep. Chel Diokno (Akbayan Party-list), following reports that some lawmakers maintain ties with government contractors involved in potentially anomalous or ghost projects. It was then adopted by the joint committee. 

The effectiveness of the requirement, however, hinges on whether the joint committee or the House will verify or take action on these disclosures. 

Otherwise, the disclosures could remain as paperwork that lawmakers are bound to and accepted without question, unless later disputed or disproven.

'Take their word for it'

According to Rep. Terry Ridon (Bicol Saro Party-list), who chairs the House Infra Comm, the panel will simply “take their word for it.” 

He clarified, however, that lawmakers would be bound by their notarized statements, and if found to have lied about conflicts of interest, they could face perjury charges.

“I think you have to go to a notary public for that also. Basically, it binds them. It’s not just a simple document that they signed,” he said in an ambush interview on Tuesday night, September 2. 

“So kaya nga ho if there is a showing na after this document hindi ‘yan totoo, conflicted ka, edi parang perjury ‘yun. There’s an actual penalty for that,” he added.  

(That’s why if it turns out the document is false and you are in fact conflicted, then that would amount to perjury. There’s an actual penalty for that.)

What the motion sought. It is, however, worth noting that Diokno’s motion specifically asked for the “full disclosure of financial, business or pecuniary interest that may be directly or indirectly affected by any investigation into the government’s past or present flood control projects.” 

Asked about this, Ridon said he would have to review the motion again.

But if doubts emerge over a lawmaker’s disclosure, Ridon said the case could be brought before the ethics committee.

“Actually pwede magethics talaga ‘yun kasi nagsabi ka [na walang conflict]. It’s something important to the committee, pero hindi [pala] ‘yun totoo, pwede magethics committee,” he said.    

(Actually, that can be brought to the ethics committee, because you declared you had no conflict. It’s something important to the committee, but if it turns out not to be true, it can go to the ethics committee.)

To make public. Ridon said the written disclosures will be made public once received by the House infrastructure committee, and he expects them to be submitted by the next hearing.

While it remains unclear how the joint committee will handle the written disclosures, it is certain that once made public, citizens will have the right to flag any conflicts of interest they identify.

“I think the public can basically call whichever person out na kung feeling nila okay legally, you are not conflicted, but you might be conflicted,” Ridon said. 

Since the hearing is open to all House members, will the adopted motion extend to them as well? At a press conference on Wednesday, September 3, Ridon said a new motion or a House resolution may be necessary to require written disclosures from the entire chamber.

Which members have ties to contractors?

While Rep. Elizaldy Co (Ako Bicol Party-list) is not a member of the tri-comm, he is one of the known legislators with links to a top flood control contractor, Sunwest Inc., which he founded.

Rep. Edgar Erice (Caloocan, 2nd District) moved to invite him, as the former appropriations chair, to answer questions on alleged flood control budget insertions in the 2025 national budget. 

The motion, however, did not prosper after Erice chose not to pursue it for now. Although if the joint committee discovers that any of the Co-linked contractors were involved in anomalous flood control projects, Ridon said they “might be compelled to invite him.” 

By comparing the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism’s list of legislators linked to contractors with the roster of committee members, Philstar.com found that the following lawmakers serve on one of the committees that make up the tri-committee:

• Rep. Ferdinand Beltran (Magbubukid Party-list)
  • He is the manager of Ferdstar Builders Contractors.
• Rep. Munir Arbison (Sulu, 2nd District)
  • He is reportedly related to Nirrain Construction and Supply Corp.’s top shareholder Ash-Shahid Arbison. 
• Rep. Carlos Andes Loria (Albay, 2nd District) 
  • He serves as Makapa Corp.’s president.
• Rep. Augustina Dominique “Ditse Tina” Pancho (Bulacan, 2nd District)
  • Her family reportedly owns C.M. Pancho Construction Inc.
• Rep. Alyssa Michaela Gonzales (Pampanga, 3rd District)
  • Her family reportedly owns A.D. Gonzales Jr. Construction and Trading Company Inc. 
  • She is the daughter of former Senior Deputy Speaker Dong Gonzales Jr. 

All five are appointed vice chairpersons of the committee on public works and highways, which is one of the subpanels of the House Infra Comm. 

The tri-comm is also composed of the committees on public accounts and good government and public accountability.