Magalong awaiting House invite to appear before flood control projects probe
MAGALONG
BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Benjamin Magalong here is awaiting the House invitation to appear before the investigation over allegedly anomalous flood control projects.
“If it’s a war, we should go to the ground or battlefield, because that’s where the war is in the House, it’s not good if we go to the top or a friendly place first,” Magalong said in explaining his failure to appear before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation today.
Magalong said he received an invitation from the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee led by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta on Sept. 3 and replied that he wanted to face the House first before going to the Senate.
“So far, I have not received an invitation from the House, which I have been waiting for a long time to reveal what I know about the misdeeds involving several congressmen, DPWH personnel, and contractors. I will wait for their invitation, I will go. Now, I have great faith in the capabilities of our new DPWH Secretary (Vince Dizon), who will be of great help in investigating corrupt government employees.”
Magalong said he respects President Marcos’ decision not to include him in the independent commission investigation these projects.
“It is the President’s decision who he sees can help him, so we have to respect, as long as the import is that his intention is pure, his determination and commitment to delivered the result are there, especially addressing this massive corruption in infra projects.”
"Maybe we should just wait for the executive order of our President, because all the provisions on how the guidelines for the progress of the investigation are in place and then they already have attached investigating agencies, such as the NBI, CIDG, which will serve subpoenas to those being investigated if necessary," Magalong said.
Magalong said that they will create a website for the Mayors for Good Governance to enable people to report what they know about corruption in their areas.
“The Isumbong sa Pangulo program of President Marcos is a great help in conveying to our President the events and corruption in each area, so this website we will create will also help them convey or air their grievances,” Magalong said.