BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Benjamin Magalong’s involvement in the House inquiry into alleged graft in public works projects has become a focal point, community members said. The exact four word keyphrase “flood control projects kickbacks” is central to the probe set to begin on September 2, officials reported.
Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Representative Antonio Tinio emphasized that Mayor Magalong should not be treated as a “hostile” resource person if invited to testify. After a meeting at the city hall, Tinio assured the mayor that his participation would be welcomed and respectful. “I assured him he has friends in the House,” Tinio said, underscoring that Magalong is not an accused party but a key witness.
Invitation to Mayor Magalong
House Committee on Infrastructure, formerly known as the Tri-Comm, plans to discuss Magalong’s potential participation during the upcoming probe, local leaders noted. Informal talks with Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon, who chairs the Public Accounts Committee, indicate that inviting Magalong is already on the agenda. Ridon and other lawmakers have urged the mayor to present evidence on the alleged padding of public works expenses, which reportedly fund kickbacks for various government officials, including some congressmen involved in the budget process.
“Assuming it will be more detailed,” Tinio said, Magalong’s report could illuminate the “unprecedented” manipulation of infrastructure budgets linked to flood control projects kickbacks.
Unprecedented Corruption in Infrastructure
Tinio highlighted the scale of corruption, stating, “We are in agreement na talagang the whole system is corrupt. Hindi bago iyon, talagang ganoon iyong system.” He noted that while the Makabayan bloc has raised these concerns before, the confirmation from the President himself marks a new level of urgency.
The lawmaker explained that since 2022, under the Marcos administration, there has been a historically unprecedented number of budget insertions. “May mga bagong maniobra sa budget which includes abusing the unprogrammed allocations to make room for insertions,” Tinio said. This practice has inflated allocations for projects like flood control, which eventually drew the President’s attention during his State of the Nation Address.
“Inunahan na niya at siya ngayon ang bida,” Tinio remarked, referring to the President’s preemptive disclosure of the anomalies, positioning him as the hero in exposing the scandal.
Historical Roots and New Techniques
Community members observed that graft in infrastructure dates back to the 1960s and 1970s, predating Martial Law. Scholars could provide a clearer understanding of the long-standing corruption that needs to be addressed. However, the current “new technique” of inflating public works expenses for kickbacks is more visible under the current administration.
Officials also consider exploring whether these irregularities were influenced by emergency appropriations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tinio noted that some officials might have exploited procurement loopholes during the health crisis, which later evolved into systematic corruption. “The level of insertions in flood control projects heightened in 2022 when Marcos began his presidency,” he added.
Transparency Measures and Next Steps
As a solution, Congress has pushed for civil society and other sectors to observe all stages of the budget approval process. This transparency aims to prevent future abuses and ensure public accountability.
Mayor Magalong, a retired police general, said he has yet to receive an official invitation from Congress. He plans to review data compiled by himself and the Mayors for Good Governance group to verify whether the alleged increase in kickbacks in public works corresponded with massive bribery payoffs during past elections.
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