Senate subpoenas 10 contractors in flood control probe

The Senate has approved subpoenas for 10 of the 15 contractors who cornered the bulk of flood control projects since the start of the Marcos administration after they skipped last week's Blue Ribbon committee hearing on alleged anomalies.

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Senate President Francis Escudero's office confirmed that the subpoenas have been signed and will be sent today. The committee was still finalizing the date of the next hearing as of yesterday.

Among those covered are Mark Allan Arevalo of Wawao Builders, whose alleged ghost projects in Bulacan were the subject of Sen. Panfilo Lacson's privilege speech last week, and Sara Discaya of Alpha and Omega Gen. Contractor, who lost the Pasig mayoral race earlier this year.

Also subpoenaed was Marjorie Samidan of MG Samidan Construction, which bagged 58 projects worth P5.02 billion despite having only P250,000 in paid-up capital.

Like MG Samidan, Centerways Construction was flagged for undercapitalization, from P1.25 million at incorporation to P45 million most recently, yet cornered 83 projects worth P5.1 billion. Its owner, Lawrence Lubiano, was also summoned.

Others covered are Edgar Acosta of Hi-Tone Construction, Romeo Miranda of Royal Crown Monarch Construction, Ma. Roma Angeline Rimando of St. Timothy Construction, Aderma Angelie Alcazar of Sunwest and Eumir Villanueva of Topnotch Catalyst Builders.

Five other contractors have already faced the inquiry: Legacy Construction Corp. president Alex Abelido, QM Builders owner Allan Quirante, EGC Construction owner Ernie Baggao, Triple 8 Construction owner Wilfredo Natividad and Ryan Willie Uy of Road Edge Trading & Development Services.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada yesterday warned that contractors who continue to evade the probe could face arrest.

"I still don't believe that they are going to have many excuses because once the excuse is unacceptable, I will really move for their arrest, for the committee to issue a warrant of arrest," he told ANC.