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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider House leadership change not enough to address flood control project mess—minority bloc

House leadership change not enough to address flood control project mess—minority bloc

Published Sep 17, 2025 06:25 pm

At A Glance

  • ​A change in House leadership is not enough to sate Filipinos' desire for accountability over the billion-peso flood control project anomalies.
​A change in House leadership is not enough to sate Filipinos' desire for accountability over the billion-peso flood control project anomalies.
Thus, said House members who abstained from the House Speakership vote Wednesday, Sept. 17 that saw Isabela 6th district Rep. Faustino "Bojie" Dy III ascend to the top post in the rostrum.
Kamanggagawa Party-list Rep. Eli San Fernando said Wednesday, Sept. 17, that Dy's replacement of Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez as Speaker was only one step on the long road to accountability.
He says those who pursue genuine accountability "will not be satisfied with a mere change in leadership" as these people want to see those involved in the controversy blacklisted, fired, and jailed.
"We will settle for nothing less," said San Fernando, who warned that "We will not be pacified easily."
Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima shared the same sentiment.
De Lima said that despite the leadership shake-up, her principle and work ethic as a minority member will remain unchanged, and that she will continue working to ensure the welfare of the people.
"Igigiit natin ang katotohanan, ipaglalaban ang hustisya at pananagutan sa pamahalaan (We will push for the truth, fight for justice and hold the government to account)," she said.
Meanwhile, SAGIP Party-list Rep. Paolo Marcoleta attempted to explain before the plenary session why he abstained from voting for Dy despite the no-explanation rule set by Deputy Speaker Ilocos Sur 2nd district Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan.
In his brief explanation before his microphone was cut, Marcoleta said "The House needs a major institutional change, institutional reforms, [and] not just cosmetic changes."
San Fernando, De Lima, and Marcoleta were among the 28 House members who abstained from voting for Dy, who in his inaugural speech vowed to neither defend the guilty nor shield the corrupt.
"For the good of the people, we hope this is not mere rhetoric," San Fernando said of Dy's remarks.
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