SUPPORT for the creation of an independent panel to investigate anomalous flood-control projects implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) continues to snowball.

Throwing their support behind President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s anti-corruption drive were the Association of General and Flag Officers (AGFO), an organization of retired generals and naval officers, the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition (Nagkaisa) and the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), two of the country’s biggest labor groups.

Their call was a complete rejection of the House of Representatives’ move for a tri-committee investigation.

Some members of the House were also opposed to the adoption of House Resolution 145, authorizing the Committees on Public Accounts, Public Works and Highways, and Good Government and Public Accountability to launch a joint inquiry on the flood control projects.

Nagkaisa on Sunday expressed strong support for an independent fact-finding body, echoing calls of the AGFO, TUCP, some members of Congress and other civic groups “to ensure impartiality, credibility and transparency in uncovering the truth behind the scandal.”

The group advocated a panel “with citizens’ participation patterned after historic truth commissions like the Agrava Commission on Ninoy Aquino’s assassination, the Davide Commission on coup attempts, and the Melo Commission on extrajudicial killings,” Nagkaisa chairman and Federation of Free Workers (FFW) President Sonny Matula said., This news data comes from:http://li-sxqh-nox-fsjd.yamato-syokunin.com

Matula said the billions of pesos lost to ghost projects should have been redirected to provide stimulus funds for small and medium enterprises and strategic industries, to generate jobs and spur inclusive growth, to regularize 832,000 contractual and job order workers who remain without security of tenure, and to subsidize PhilHealth and the Social Security System (SSS).

He underscored the importance of labor representatives in the fact-finding body to ensure that workers’ perspectives are at the table in demanding transparency and accountability.

Matula also called on the Department of Justice (DOJ), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to start a parallel investigation to prevent further misuse of public funds.

In an earlier statement, AGFO proposed to the President the creation of a panel composed of government officials and private citizens.

ML Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima has objected to the creation of the tri-committee, citing possible conflict of interest, since some members of the House are also being linked to the anomalous projects.

Support grows for independent probe into flood control projects

“I take the position that it would not be prudent on the part of this House, as it might entail possible conflict of interest. In short, the House itself is investigating this issue, when there have been so many reports, when there has been so many speculations about the possible involvement of certain members of the House, this would not sit well with the public. It would impact significantly on the integrity and dignity of this institution,” de Lima said.

Earlier, TUCP proposed a similar body that would investigate massive corruption and ghost flood-control projects.

“Like the President, the Filipino workers are also very angry. While the workers are trying to make both ends meet every day due to their meager salaries, the national budget funded by the taxes they paid is being openly stolen and being used as a business by unscrupulous people,” the group said.

TUCP General Secretary Arnel Dolendo said that through an independent body with expert and sectoral representation, including labor, “we can finally unmask and pinpoint those accountable for what the President rightfully identified as “economic sabotage.”

“This is not just about corruption in flood control projects — this is about restoring faith in government, protecting the people’s money, and ending the tragedy where workers always pay the price for the crimes of the powerful,” Dolendo said.