The Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives is not satisfied with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure's (ICI) recommendation to charge personalities like Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada as well as resigned Ako Bicol Party-list congressman Zaldy Co in connection with the flood control projects mess.

"We, the Makabayan bloc in Congress, acknowledge the [ICI’s] long-overdue move to recommend criminal and administrative charges," the militant solons said in a joint statement Wednesday, Oct. 29 shortly after the body announced its case referrals to the Office of the Ombudsman.

"However, we must underscore: this is far from satisfactory and is grossly lacking given the massive scale and entrenched nature of this corruption," they said.

"The Filipino people are demanding genuine accountability for the brazen plunder of flood control funds. While the ICI’s announcement—including even COA Commissioner Mario Lipana, former Rep. Mitch Cajayon-Uy, and former DPWH Usec. Roberto Bernardo—may seem like a step forward, in truth, it is a small and incomplete move," they added.

In the current 19th Congress, the Makabayan in the House of Representatives is composed of ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, Gabriela Party-list Rep. Sarah Elago, and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co.

“The fight for accountability cannot end with a handful of names. Sa dami ng ebidensya, marami pang dapat papanagutin—lalo na ang mga mas mataas na opisyal, mga padrino, at tunay na mastermind ng sistemikong korapsyon sa flood control," Tinio said.

(With the abundance of evidence, many more must be held accountable—especially the higher-ranking officials, patrons, and true masterminds behind the systemic corruption in flood control)

"This action is too little, too late," he added, despite the presence of big names in ICI's case recommendations.

Elago said: “We welcome any movement towards justice, but this is not enough. Kulang na kulang pa ito kumpara sa lawak at lalim ng anomalya. Hindi sapat na may mga pangalan lang sa listahan; kailangang tiyakin na may tunay na imbestigasyon, mabilis na paglilitis, at aktwal na pagbawi ng nakaw na yaman.”

(This falls far short compared to the breadth and depth of the anomaly. It is not enough to merely have names on a list; there must be a genuine investigation, swift prosecution, and actual recovery of the stolen wealth.)

For her part, Co stressed: “Flood control funds are meant to protect our people, not to line the pockets of the powerful...The Filipino people demand full transparency, genuine justice, and true accountability—not token charges and selective prosecution.”