On Tuesday, August 19, the Senate began its investigation into the government’s flood control projects and their contractors, but many of them did not show up to the first hearing, including Sarah Discaya, who failed the Pasig City mayoral bid against re-elected Mayor Vico Sotto.
The Senate probe is led by the Blue Ribbon Committee and prompted by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s call during his latest State of the Nation Address to audit the flood control projects under his administration. According to the president, an initial review revealed that 20 percent of the flood control projects, costing P100 billion, were all undertaken by 15 contractors.
The committee invited Discaya as the president of Alpha and Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corp., but she had excused herself from the probe, citing a prior commitment. Other contracting firms that were not represented during the hearing were Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc., Sunwest Inc., Royal Crown Monarch Construction & Supplies Corp., Wawao Builders, and St. Timothy Construction Corp. Of the 15 contractors invited to the hearing, only seven showed up.
St. Timothy Construction Corp. was supposed to be represented by one Roma Rimando, who said that she was in mourning, but the firm has also been linked to Discaya.
Sotto had alleged that St. Timothy Construction Corp. and the Discaya-owned St. Gerrard General Contractor and Development Corporation (SGGCDC) shared the same business address and incorporators. However, Discaya and her husband deny ties to St. Timothy Construction Corp.
Senator Bato dela Rosa moved to subpoena the absentees, requiring them to attend the next hearing. Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee, approved the motion. If they still do not appear in the next hearing, they may be cited for contempt.
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