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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider House tri-comm re-formed, poised to look into anomalous flood control projects

House tri-comm re-formed, poised to look into anomalous flood control projects

Published Aug 21, 2025 11:05 am  |  Updated Aug 21, 2025 02:42 pm

At A Glance

  • The House tri-committee (tri-comm) is back in the 20th Congress--only it has a different mission now.
The House plenary (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
The House plenary (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)


The House tri-committee (tri-comm) is back in the 20th Congress--only it has a different mission now.
Whereas the tri-comm in the previous 19th Congress delved into the spread of fake news and misinformation in the social media, this new iteration will focus its inquiry on the implementation of anomalous infrastructure projects, particularly flood control projects undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other related agencies.
"TriCom will hereinafter be called the House Infra Comm," one of the co-chairmen in Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said in a Facebook post following the adoption of House Resolution (HR) No.145 during plenary session Wednesday night, Aug. 21.
The new tri-comm is composed of the House Committees on Public Accounts, on Good Government and Public Accountability, and on Public Works and Highways.
These panels are chaired by Ridon, Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua, and Surigao del Sur 1st district Rep. Romeo Momo Sr.
HR No.145, which effectively re-formed the tri-comm, was adopted amid snowballing allegations of corruption on these questionable flood control projects that involved lawmakers.
What's worse is that these anti-flood projects didnt deliver when constituents needed them the most, particularly last month when successive typhoons hit the country and left a lot of areas under floodwater.
"Persons with personal knowledge of these activities shall be invited to blow the whistle, participate in future hearings, and expose conspiring contractors, government officials, employees, and private individuals involved in such activities,” read part of the resolution.
The resolution was part via simple voice vote (ayes vs. nayes).
But during the vote on Wednesday night, Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima manifested her opposition to HR No145.
“I take the position that it would not be prudent on the part of this House as it might entail possible conflict of interest. In short, the House itself investigating this issue, when there has been so many reports, when there has been so many speculations about the possible involvement of certain members of the House, this would not sit well to the public. It would impact significantly on the integrity and dignity of this institution,” she said.
“It could involve possible issues of conflict of interest, possible collusion, possible conspiracy with the big ticket contractors,” added De Lima, a former senator.
The 300-plus strong chamber ultimately adopted the resolution.
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