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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider House members tagged as 'cong-tractors' welcome investigation

House members tagged as 'cong-tractors' welcome investigation

Published Nov 27, 2025 12:30 pm

At A Glance

  • The House of Representatives members who have been tagged as "cong-tractors" by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) have expressed their willingness to be placed under investigation for possible conflict of interest due to their supposed links to construction companies.
From left to right: Surigao del Norte 1st district Rep. Francisco Matugas, Cagayan 3rd district Rep. Joseph Lara, and USWAG Ilonggo Party-list Rep. James Ang (Facebook)
From left to right: Surigao del Norte 1st district Rep. Francisco Matugas, Cagayan 3rd district Rep. Joseph Lara, and USWAG Ilonggo Party-list Rep. James Ang (Facebook)


The House of Representatives members who have been tagged as "cong-tractors" by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) have expressed their willingness to be placed under investigation for possible conflict of interest due to their supposed links to construction companies.
Giving statements to this effect following the ICI's recommendation of administrative and criminal charges against them Wednesday, Nov. 26 were Surigao del Norte 1st district Rep. Francisco Matugas, Cagayan 3rd district Rep. Joseph Lara, and USWAG Ilonggo Party-list Rep. James Ang.
"Nahibayo kami nan bag-uhay ra na pamahayag gikan nan [ICI] Pero waya pay nadawat ni Congressman Francisco "Lalo" Matugas ni isa ka opisyal na pahibayo o dokumento bahin nan ini," read a statement from Matugas' Facebook page.
(We have just learned of a recent statement from the [ICI]. However, Congressman Francisco "Lalo" Matugas has not received any official notice or document regarding this.)
Kun auy awtorisado na imbestigasyon na mahitabo andam kami na mo-cooperate sa hingpit, klaro, sanan amo ihatag an tanan na tagkinahanglan na dokumento o record. We have nothing to hide (Wayay amo tagtago)," it added.
(If there is an authorized investigation to take place, we are ready to fully cooperate, clearly, and we will provide all the necessary documents or records. We have nothing to hide.)
It furthet said that Matugas--who is being linked by the ICI to construction firm Boometrix Development Corp.--"remains focused on delivering honest, accountable, and tireless public service for the people of Surigao del Norte".
Lara's own response via his Facebook followed a similar theme. "Maluwag po naming tinatanggap ang naging desisyon ng [ICI] na iendorso sa Office of the Ombudsman ang kaso patungkol sa aking kaugnayan sa JLL Pulsar Construction."
(We openly accept the decision of the ICI to endorse to the Office of the Ombudsman the case concerning my association with JLL Pulsar Construction.)
"Magsisilbi po itong pagkakataon para sa atin na harapin ang lahat ng mga paratang at patunayan sa 'proper forum' na wala po tayong nilalabag na batas (This will serve as an opportunity for us to face all the allegations and to prove in the proper forum that we have not violated any law)," Lara said.
The solon made sure to underscore that the case referral of the ICI to the Office of the Ombudsman wasn't about anomalies in flood ghost projects or substandard projects, but solely about his alleged association with JLL Pulsar Construction.
"Muli po, nais po nating ipabatid na bago pa man tayo sumabak sa serbisyo publiko ay wala na tayong anumang kaugnayan sa JLL Pulsar Construction at higit sa lahat, kahit kailan ay hindi po sumali ang JLL Pulsar Construction sa mga kontrata ng mga proyekto sa Tersera Distrito ng Cagavan mula po nung tayo ay naluklok bilang kinatawan ng Tersera Distrito," added Lara.
(Once again, we wish to convey that even before we entered public service, we no longer had any association with JLL Pulsar Construction. Above all, at no time did JLL Pulsar Construction participate in any contracts for projects in the Third District of Cagavan since we assumed office as representative of the Third District.)
For his part, Ang said that his "conscience is clear". The ICI is linking him to IBC International Builders Corporation and Allencon Development Corporation
"I am confident that I will be able to clear my name soon. My resolve for the truth to come out is stronger and clearer," he said in a statement.
“In my three years in public service, I have never used my position in the government for my own interest and to profit in any way. I stand firm on what is true and just. I am ready to face this case in the proper forum,” Ang said.
Rounding up the ICI's cong-tractors list were former Ako Bicol Party-list representative Zaldy Co (FS Co. Builders Supply), Construction Workers Solidarity (CWS) Party-list Rep. Edwin Gardiola (Newington Builders, Inc., Lourel Development Corporation, and S-Ang General Construction & Trading Inc.), PUSONG PINOY Party-list Rep. Jernie Nisay (JVN Construction and Trading), Bulacan 2nd district Rep. Agustina Pancho (C.M. Pancho Construction Inc.), and Tarlac 3rd district Rep. Noel Rivera (Tarlac 3-G Construction & Development Corporation).
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