The House Infrastructure Committee (infra comm) on Tuesday, Sept. 2 ordered the issuance of subpoenas to five contractors that failed to appear during its hearing on the flood control projects controversy.

The firms to be subpoenaed for non-attendance are: Royal Crown Monarch Construction and Supplies Corporation; SYMS Construction Trading; Alpha and Omega General Contractor & Development Corporation; St. Timothy Construction Corporation (STCC); and Wawao Builders Corporation.

Tuesday was the launch of the much-awaited House inquiry on the flood control projects mess.

Infra Comm overall chairman, Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon ordered the issuance of the subpoenas or strongly-worded summons after the five contractors ignored invitations from the joint panel.

The Infra Comm is looking into suspected “ghost” projects, substandard works and questionable budget insertions in flood-mitigation programs across the country.

Preliminary reviews by the panel flagged SYMS Construction Trading and Wawao Builders Corporation as among the entities cited in earlier reports tied to alleged ghost works in Bulacan---matters the committee said must be tested against documentary evidence and sworn testimony.

Separate news accounts have also drawn attention to Alpha & Omega General Contractor and Development Corporation and St. Timothy Construction Corporation, the projects of which are under congressional scrutiny. They are reportedly owned by contractor Sarah Discaya

Media reports said these firms were among those that cornered significant slices of flood control funds. This has fueling the demand for answers under oath in the House inquiry.

The joint committee says the goal of the hearing is to build a complete picture of how budget allocations are formulated beginning with the National Expenditure Program (NEP), and how during budget execution some projects are either haphazardly done or not implemented at all.

In terms of specific anti-flood projects, the joint committee’s first target is the P55-million Baliuag, Bulacan project on the reinforced concrete river wall. President Marcos himself discovered to be non-existent--ergo, a ghost project--in an inspection last month.

“We have copies of all relevant documents to build the cases against officials of the DPWH 1st District Engineering Office and the private contractor, Syms Construction Trading, all of whom are involved in the P55-million Baliuag ghost project,” Ridon said.

He then issued a stern warning: “The threshold for plunder is P50 million. This project is P55 million. Plunder charges should be filed against all involved personalities in the soonest time.”

Ridon also cited the substandard flood control works in Calumpit, Bulacan that were built by St. Timothy Construction and Wawao Builders.

“The President had found concrete deterioration, with exposed loose cables and wires. The two substandard projects had been built within the last four years,” he said, as he noted that both firms were among the top 15 flood control contractors earlier flagged by the President.

Meanwhile, Ridon also carried a motion from Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno for all members of the three-panel infra comm to disclose their businesses and dealings that could be linked to the flood control projects probe.

This, as Diokno raised the issue of conflict of interest in the investigation, since it could involved some legislators.

"Rule 9 Section 33 of the Rules of the House as well as Section 9 of the internal Rules of Committee of Public Accounts provides that, and I quote, 'A member of a committee shall not participate in the deliberations or vote on any matter that directly or indirectly affects the members' business, financial or pecuniary interest," Diokno said in a manifestation.

"These rules are in line with section 9 of Republic Act 6713, Code of Conduct of Public Officials, which provides that the public official or employee shall avoid conflicts of interest at all times. These rules are also aligned with Article 6, Section 12 of our Constitution, which requires all members of the House to make a full disclosure of their business and financial interest to avoid conflict of interest," he noted.

Ridon later said that the solons must submit their written disclosures within five days.