‘Walang Matatabunan’: JV Ejercito says accountability over flood control anomalies will not take a back seat
July 23, 2026
Senior Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito assured the public that the Senate will continue to carry out its duties despite the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, stressing efforts to hold those behind flood control projects anomalies will move forward.
"Ongoing ang preparation ng Ombudsman para sa pagsasampa ng criminal charges against those involved in flood control projects scandal. Ang sabi ni Ombudsman, walong ‘congtractors’ ang next na makakasuhan," Ejercito said.
*“Dapat matukoy at mapanagot ang iba pang tunay na mga salarin, partikular ang mga “congtractor” at ang mga nagpasimuno ng mga allocables,” he added.*
It can be remembered that the Ombudsman said it will file charges against at least eight House members who were allegedly involved in companies that secured government contracts, over alleged conflict of interest in flood control projects.
On May 12, Ombudsman said it received the partial report of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that recommended filing of criminal charges against some legislators as well as intermediaries and DPWH employees.
Ejercito dismissed claims that the ongoing impeachment proceedings would derail the Senate's efforts to look into the controversial flood control projects.
"May nagsasabing ginagamit ang impeachment para matabunan ang isyu ng flood control. Hindi po totoo iyon. Hindi pa tapos ang imbestigasyon at sisiguraduhin nating maipagpapatuloy ito. Walang dapat makalusot sa paglustay ng pera ng taumbayan," he stressed.
The Senate impeachment court convened last week, with the prosecution presenting its witnesses in support of Article IV of the Articles of Impeachment, which accuses Duterte of making grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Despite the impeachment proceedings, Ejercito said the Senate will continue fulfilling its legislative and oversight functions, including the deliberations on the proposed 2027 national budget.
"Hindi maaaring tumigil ang Senado sa pagtatrabaho. Habang isinasagawa ang impeachment, dapat ding umusad ang budget at ang iba pang imbestigasyon. Parehong mahalaga ang pananagutan at maayos na pamamahala," he said.
As chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Ejercito vowed to pursue a transparent and accountable budget process.
"Ang bawat pisong mula sa buwis ng taumbayan ay dapat napupunta sa mga programang tunay na kailangan ng mga Pilipino. Hindi puwedeng masayang o manakaw ang pondong inilaan para sa flood control habang ang mga komunidad ay patuloy na binabaha," he said.
"Nauunawaan natin ang galit at pagkadismaya ng ating mga kababayan. Kaya mas lalo nating paiigtingin ang pagbabantay sa bawat sentimo ng pondo ng bayan. Kailangang maibalik natin ang tiwala ng publiko sa pamamagitan ng isang budget na tapat, malinaw, at walang puwang ang korapsyon," he said.
