Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima says she isn't shocked by the alleged cover-up attempt on what she described as "the biggest corruption scandal in Philippine history".

"Hindi na tayo magtataka kung gumagalaw na ang galamay ng mga sindikato at buwaya para pagtakpan ang kanilang krimen at sabwatan (We dont find it strange anymore if the syndicates and crocodiles' subordinates move to cover up their crime and collusion)," De Lima said in reaction to reports that some Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) workers have been destroying and tampering with official documents linked to anomalous flood control projects.

"Given the magnitude of this corruption in the DPWH–the biggest corruption scandal in Philippine history–we expected these attempts at a cover-up," she said.

"Criminals would not think twice about committing another crime–destroying, tampering with, and concealing public documents–to cover their tracks and ultimately escape accountability," De Lima said.

"Ano pa nga ba ang aasahan natin sa mga walang hiya at halang ang kaluluwa, na hindi man lang inisip na sa bilyon-bilyong pisong ninakaw nila ay milyon-milyon nating kababayan ang lalong naghirap at nagdusa?" she noted.

(What else can we expect from the shameless and soulless, who didn’t even consider that in stealing billions of pesos, they caused millions of our fellow citizens to suffer even more?)

"I urge all relevant authorities, particularly the ICI (Independent Commission for Infrastructure), DPWH Sec. [Vince] Dizon, the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) and PNP (Philippine National Police), to safeguard the integrity of the remaining documents and records, retrieve those hidden or destroyed, investigate those behind the tampering and concealment, and impose swift sanctions–including preventive suspension and immediate dismissal–against those unscrupulous officials and employees," De Lima said.

According to the former senator, those involved in the flood control projects corruption scandal must not be underestimated.

"Tandaan natin na mga propesyunal–mga sanay na sanay na–sa pagnanakaw, panlilinlang, at paglusot sa pananagutan ang mga involved dito, kaya dapat tapatan ito ng malakas at may ngipin na batas para tukuyin sila at panagutin sa batas."

(Let us remember that those involved here are professionals—highly skilled—in theft, deception, and evading accountability, so this must be matched with strong and sharp laws to identify them and hold them accountable.)

"That is why we are calling on our colleagues in Congress for the swift passage of our proposed measure which seeks to create the 'Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption', and for the President to certify this bill as urgent," she said.