Senate Blue Ribbon subpoenas contractors for flood control project probe

Senate President Francis Escudero signed subpoenas for contractors involved in flood control projects to compel their attendance at an upcoming Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation.

Last week, Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada moved for the issuance of these subpoenas after 11 invited contractors failed to attend a previous hearing; only seven were represented.

Among those who missed the initial hearing are Cezarah Discaya and several other contractors like Ma. Roma Angeline Rimando from St. Timothy Construction Corporation, Eumir Villanueva from Topnotch Catalyst Builders, and others.

The subpoenas will be sent out on Tuesday, August 26, since August 25 is a non-working holiday due to National Heroes' Day.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., during his State of the Nation Address in July, ordered an examination of flood mitigation projects nationwide following severe flooding earlier this year.

Eight construction firms that skipped the first Senate Blue Ribbon panel flood control probe include Alpha & Omega General Contractor & Development Corp., Hi-Tone Construction & Development Corp., L.R. Tiqui Builders Inc., Royal Crown Monarch Construction & Supplies Corp., St. Timothy Construction Corp., Sunwest Inc., Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc., and Wawao Builders.

The President has launched a crackdown on anomalous flood control projects, naming the top 15 construction companies that bagged P545 billion worth of government contracts for flood-control projects.