Deputy Speaker Janette Garin Defends Flood Control Inquiry
MANILA — Deputy Speaker Janette Garin firmly criticized fellow lawmakers who, according to sources, raised issues that disrupted interpellations during the House of Representatives’ flood control probe. This included Sagip party-list Rep. Paolo Henry Marcoleta. Garin emphasized that lawmakers must keep the flood control inquiry’s goal at the forefront.
During the House infra-committee hearing on Tuesday, Garin was prepared to question former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan regarding the process from project proposals to the crafting of the annual budget. However, Marcoleta interrupted with a point of order, claiming that Garin’s question had already been addressed by Senior Deputy Minority Leader Edgar Erice.
Clash Over Interpellation Rules
Garin challenged Marcoleta by asking which specific House rule her question violated, stressing that points of order should only be raised when procedural rules are broken. “Mr. Chair, what rule did my question violate?” she asked, visibly frustrated. She appealed for mutual respect among colleagues, explaining that she had only asked a preliminary question to set up her next inquiry.
Marcoleta insisted it was a legitimate point of order, but Garin pressed on, questioning whether she needed to inform him of her questions beforehand. She then directly asked what he feared about her inquiries. “Because Mr. Chair, I have my time, I’m laying down my premise. Ano po ba ang kinakatakutan ni Congressman Marcoleta sa mga katanungan ko?” she said.
Eventually, Infra-committee lead presiding officer Rep. Terry Ridon ruled in favor of Garin, allowing her to proceed. “I think we have to give her the honor of asking the question,” Ridon declared.
Ongoing Hearing Tensions and Focus
This was not Garin’s first moment of irritation during the hearing. More than two hours into the session, interpellations were repeatedly slowed by questions about conflict of interest disclosures and the possible involvement of House members in the flood control controversy.
When Bonoan explained that only the bicameral conference committee on the 2025 national budget could clarify budget realignments, Rep. Edgar Erice sought to invite former appropriations chairperson Rep. Elizaldy Co and ex-Senator Grace Poe for further clarification. However, Garin urged the committee not to lose focus.
“Mr. Chair, with due courtesy to all my colleagues, a while ago Congressman Chel Diokno and Congressman Leila de Lima said it would not look good if we have a committee investigating our own colleagues. That’s precisely the reason Mr. Chair why we are all here because of our oversight powers. Yes, the matter will be addressed by the third-party investigators and if there are cases, let the cases be filed against the personalities,” Garin said.
She further appealed to her colleagues to avoid diverting the discussion. Garin pointed out discrepancies she found in the 2026 proposed National Expenditure Program, noting flood control projects included that were not proposed by field offices. “Mr. Chair with due courtesy to my colleagues, yes, we will address the committee on appropriations but for now, we have the officers […] we need to know how this happened,” she added.
Lawmakers Questioning Accountability
Meanwhile, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco questioned why some lawmakers resisted having their colleagues explain their potential involvement, noting this resistance contradicted Rep. Ridon’s earlier assurance that no House or Senate member would be exempt from scrutiny.
“Does this mean that in these discussions, congressmen are exempted? So how will we investigate?” Tiangco asked. A brief heated exchange between Garin and Tiangco followed, prompting Ridon to suspend the hearing.
Context of the Flood Control Probe
The investigation into flood control projects intensified after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s remarks during his fourth State of the Nation Address. He condemned government officials and contractors allegedly pocketing kickbacks while citizens suffered from flooding during the rainy season. Marcos called on those involved to feel ashamed.
His condemnation came after Senator Panfilo Lacson warned that nearly half of the almost P2 trillion allocated for flood control projects since 2011 might have been lost, urging a thorough review.
Marcos later released a list of contractors, with observers quickly linking some to politicians such as Rep. Elizaldy Co, Senate President Francis Escudero, and former Pasig mayoral candidate Sara Discaya. While Co has remained silent, Escudero dismissed the allegations as a “demolition job” but admitted that one top contractor was a donor during his 2022 senatorial campaign.
Currently, both the House and Senate are conducting separate investigations. Meanwhile, the executive branch plans to launch an independent probe into flood control issues.
For more news and updates on flood control inquiry, visit Filipinokami.com.
