By Len Transporte
Caloocan City 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice is calling for the flood control investigation to widen its net to include Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, arguing that the alleged diversion of trillions of pesos in government funds could not have happened without the knowledge or approval of officials in the executive branch.
In an interview on Bilyonaryo News Channel’s “The Spokes,” Erice said scrutiny should not stop with former House Speaker Martin Romualdez as questions mount over how huge sums were allegedly redirected to flood control projects over several years.
Asked about speculation that the investigation into Romualdez was losing steam because it could eventually implicate presidential son and Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, Erice said Cabinet officials should instead face closer scrutiny.
“In fairness to Congressman Sandro, tingin ko mas malaki ang problema ng mga Cabinet members involved. Like, for example, the Bersamins, Secretary Pangandaman,” Erice said.
He argued that it would have been nearly impossible for funds to be diverted on such a scale for three consecutive years without officials in the executive branch knowing about the transactions.
Erice cited documents submitted in connection with his pending Supreme Court petition questioning unprogrammed appropriations, saying Special Allotment Release Orders (SAROs) for 2024 and 2025 showed releases for flood control projects bearing Pangandaman’s signature.
“During my petition to the SC against the unprogrammed appropriations, nirequire ng Supreme Court iyong mga SARO for 2024 and 2025. At iyong mga SARO na lumabas doon, may mga flood control releases signed by Secretary Pangandaman,” he said.
Erice said the paper trail made it difficult to believe that Malacañang was unaware of the fund releases, particularly those made under the 2024 General Appropriations Act.
“Kaya imposibleng hindi alam ng Malacañang. Unless hindi sinasabi ni Secretary Pangandaman, pero required by law na presumed na alam ng Presidente, lalong-lalo na iyong 2024 GAA,” he said.
Erice further claimed that the 2025 budget contained a provision that gave the budget secretary greater latitude over such releases.
“Yung 2025, nilagyan nila ng palusot na puwedeng hindi na ang Presidente kundi si Secretary Pangandaman na lang,” he said.
With the controversy involving what he described as trillions of pesos in public funds, Erice questioned why Pangandaman and the Bersamins had yet to face the same level of scrutiny as lawmakers implicated in the flood control mess.
“Sabi ko nga, trilyon iyong nawala, bakit hindi imbestigahan si Secretary Pangandaman at ang mga Bersamin? So hindi natin malaman iyong katotohanan,” Erice said.—Politiko.com.ph
