MANILA, Philippines — The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee resumed its investigation Thursday, September 25, into alleged irregularities in flood control projects, with key contractors and former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials expected to testify.
Contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya, along with former DPWH officials Henry Alcantara, Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza, were summoned to appear.
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The resumption comes a day after the Department of Justice announced that the Discayas, Alcantara, Hernandez and Mendoza are now formally recognized as protected witnesses under the Witness Protection Program (WPP).
Hernandez’s lawyer, Raymond Fortun, disclosed that at least six senators — four incumbent and two former — may be linked to irregularities, raising the stakes for the inquiry.
Committee chair Sen. Panfilo Lacson said the probe will continue to focus on alleged “ghost projects,” kickbacks and other irregularities in the flood control program, which critics say left vulnerable communities exposed to severe flooding.
Watch the Senate hearing at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 25.