House of Representatives members won't be surprised if the ongoing investigation on local contractors and their infrastructure works would cross over to foreign contractors that have deals with the Philippine government.

Minority congressmen ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio and Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima had this to say even as the scope of the flood control projects corruption scandal--facilitated by contractors like the Discayas--continues to shock Filipinos.

Perhaps it's not even a question of if, but when this expansion of the inquiry would occur.

"All government contracts are susceptible to abuse, including those with foreign contractors. Everything involving procurement should be scrutinized," said Tinio, part of the militant Makabayan bloc in the House.

Incidentally, the Makabayan filed in the previous 19th Congress House Resolution (HR) No.2278, which sought an investigation in aid of legislation on the controversial Chinese-led dredging operations in the Cagayan River.

In the resolution, Makabayan raised concerns over the environmental and economic impact of such dredging, which has severely affected the livelihood of local fishermen.

There has also been the persistent claim from local environment watchdogs that the dredging was all a front for black sand (magnetite) extraction, and not for genuine river rehabilitation. Makabayan is set to refile the measure in the current 20th Congress.

Echoing the Makabayan's concerns on black sand mining was De Lima, who recently filed House Bill (HB) No.1843 or the proposed Anti-Black Sand Mining Act.

Asked if she thinks the current controversy on contractors in flood control projects could cast a wider net to also involve foreign contractors, De Lima answered in the affirmative in the context of her opposition to black sand mining.

"Yeah (probe could expand), kaya nga kailangan tignan: Sinu-sino ba ang mga behind nitong mga activities na ito ng black sand, bakit hanggang ngayon hindi yan napapahinto? Ano ba talaga ang policy ng executive department on black sand?" she asked.

(Yeah, that’s why we need to look into it: Who are the people behind these black sand activities, why hasn’t it been stopped until now? What really is the executive department’s policy on black sand?)

"Since wala naman tayong nakikitang concrete efforts or steps from the executive department or policy, na naiintindihan lahat at nasusunod ng mga dapat sumunod like the relevant government agencies and local government units, so isabatas natin," noted De Lima, in reference to her bill.

(Since we don’t see any concrete efforts or steps from the executive department or policy that are clearly understood and followed by those who are supposed to comply, like the relevant government agencies and LGUs, so let's pass a law.)