Former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson declared that the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) should begin its investigation in Ilocos Norte over alleged corruption in government flood control projects.
Speaking at a press conference at Club Filipino this afternoon, he accused the administration of President Bongbong Marcos of massive irregularities in the President’s own home province.
“Unahin muna ninyo (ICI) ang Ilocos Norte. Imbestigahan niyo muna ‘yon. Nandoon ang lahat ng kalokohan,” Singson stressed.
Singson said that inquiries in Congress and the Senate were “just going around in circles” and had not resolved pressing corruption issues.
He claimed that ₱10 billion had been allocated for flood control during the presidency of Marcos Jr., with projects allegedly cornered by contractors linked to the Discaya family.
Among the companies he identified were St. Matthew General Contractor and Development Corp., with nearly ₱962 million in contracts; Saint Gerald Construction General Contractor and Development Corp., with around ₱608 million; as well as Alpha and Omega General Contractor and Development Corp. and St. Timothy Construction Corp.
“Paanong hindi niya alam ito, probinsya niya ito? Paano tayo maniniwala ngayon kay Presidente? Ang mga contractor nila sa Ilocos Norte, Discaya din eh,” he said, directly questioning President Marcos Jr.’s credibility.
“Ang gobyerno natin wala nang mangyayari dahil walang isang salita ang Presidente. Walang isang salita ‘yan. Bakit tayo maniniwala? Siya ang nagsabi, ‘Nakakahiya kayo.’ Dapat, ‘Nakakahiya tayo’ eh. Sina Discaya ang mga contractor niya eh,” he added.
Singson further criticized President Marcos Jr. for inconsistency in leadership. When asked by a reporter why he claimed the President had “no word of honor,” he cited the case of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment. Marcos Jr. had publicly said he was against pursuing impeachment, yet his son, Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, was the first to sign a resolution pushing to expedite the process.
“Presidente siya, dapat sinusunod. Ganon ba ‘yung isang salita?” Singson asked.
He then recalled a warning from one of President Marcos Jr.’s relatives during the campaign.
“Sabi sa akin ng pinsang buo niya noong ikampanya ko si Marcos, ‘Manong, you know the Marcoses, they will just use you.’ Ayaw ko maniwala noon, totoo pala. May alzheimers pala eh. Mismong pinsan niya ang nagsabi,” he recounted.
Singson ended by calling on the youth to speak up against corruption. “’Yung mga estudyante, hinto muna kayo hangga’t hindi bumababa ang lahat ng mga korap sa gobyerno. Kung ayaw nila mag-resign, sila ang nagpapahirap sa mga estudyante. Nakikiusap ako sa mga kabataan, mga student leaders, tumayo kayo dahil kinabukasan ninyo ito,” he said.
He warned that this was just the start of more exposés, promising to reveal further irregularities in infrastructure projects nationwide.
“This is the time to cross party lines. Magsama sama muna tayong lahat. Tanggalin muna natin ang mga corrupt,” Singson appealed.
