Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Friday, September 26 said it is possible that Commission on Audit (COA) Chairman Mario Lipana may face an impeachment trial as a means to exact accountability over his involvement in the anomalies in flood control projects.

Pangilinan pointed this out as he echoed the remarks of former senator, and now Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, who earlier warned that the commissioner could very well face impeachment proceedings from the House of Representatives if he does not resign from his position.

Lipana’s wife, Marilou, is reportedly the president and general manager of Olympus Mining and Builders Group Philippines.

Marilou Lipana was flagged for her role as a contractor in several questioned projects.

“We will go where the evidence leads us in terms of what would be the conclusion,” Pangilinan said.

“Again, for us, we go by the evidence,” the senator emphasized.

According to Pangilinan, documents showed that Marilou Lipana is using her maiden name in contracts for flood control projects, raising suspicions of concealment, deception and fraud.

Moreover, Lipana was also mentioned by former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Roberto Bernardo and district engineer Henry Alcantara.

“So we go by the evidence, therefore, we invite her to come over. We were able to get a copy of the contract, she has a different name there. She used her maiden name—why?” Pangilinan asked.

“With that, you can already sense, what is this, are they concealing her identity? Is there concealment of the truth so she can be cleared?”

“So we’ll confront her in the next hearing,” he said.

“Nabanggit siya ni Alcantara, nabanggit siya ni Bernardo so we go by the evidence therefore we invite her to come over. Nakuha rin natin yung kontrata, iba rin pangalan niya doon, she used her maiden name—why? Dyan pa lang makikita mo ano ba ‘to, are they concealing her identity? May mga concealment ng katotohanan para mailusot?” Pangilinan said.

“So we’ll confront her sa next hearing,” he added.

As the Blue Ribbon investigation continues, Pangilinan reaffirmed his commitment to pursue the truth relentlessly, guided only by evidence, due process, and the Filipino people’s demand for accountability.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian also sees the need to invite COA’s resident auditor in the DPWH noting that it is impossible for COA to fail to detect fraud in anomalous flood control projects that turned out to be either non-existent or substandard.

Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, pointed to red flags that the COA should’ve spotted, such as a flood control project marked 89 percent complete just 15 days after the notice to proceed, and fully completed in only 34 days.

Another project was reported 46 percent complete in just 2 days, and 89 percent complete after 86 days. Also, similar photos were reportedly being used as proof of progress in various stages of the project’s supposed development.

Gatchalian said that a tabletop review of the documents should have been enough for COA to detect fraud in those flood control projects.

“I don’t believe that the COA will just allow this to pass if it is not part of the modus,” he said referring to the resident auditor.

“What we want is for COA to regain back the trust of the people,” he added.