Key Lawmakers Endorse Leadership Change Amid Flood Control Corruption Scandal

Several prominent members of the House of Representatives have expressed their support for a leadership transition following the recent corruption scandal tied to flood control projects.

Bacolod City lone district Representative Albee Benitez, Cebu 5th district Representative Vincent Franco "Duke" Frasco, and Iloilo 3rd district Representative Lorenz Defensor spoke with reporters on Wednesday, September 17, ahead of the plenary session.

Leyte 1st district Representative Martin Romualdez is anticipated to resign as House Speaker during the session. He has recommended Deputy Speaker and Isabela 6th district Representative Bojie Dy as his successor, urging party leaders to back Dy’s nomination.

Benitez acknowledged the mounting tension in the House in recent weeks, stating, "I think this has been building up, yung tension for the past how many weeks. Ito, umabot na sa ganito (It has come to this). I think...magiging peaceful na ang ating environment dito (the environment here will be peaceful now)."

He reiterated his call for fresh leadership, emphasizing the need for "a new image sa ating House of Representatives" to move forward effectively. Benitez added, "The leadership change will help them find out the truth about the problem that's rocking the House."

Initially considered a potential candidate for the speakership earlier in the 20th Congress, Benitez expressed confidence that Bojie Dy has secured majority support. "I think mayroon nang desisyon ang majority of our colleagues and members. Si Cong Bojie Dy na yan (I think the majority of our colleagues and members already have a decision. Cong Bojie Dy will win it)," he noted.

Similarly, Frasco, also rumored to seek the speakership, publicly endorsed Dy through a social media statement. He said, "I extend my full support to Congressman Bojie Dy as the new Speaker of the House of Representatives. I am confident in his leadership and know him to be a man of integrity and good character."

Frasco expressed optimism about future collaboration, stating, "I look forward to working with Speaker Bojie in advancing meaningful legislation that will uplift the lives of the Filipino people. It is now time for the House of Representatives to stand united so that our nation may finally begin its path toward healing."

Defensor, serving as deputy majority leader, also voiced his favor for the leadership change. He explained that reclaiming the House’s standing is critical after the scandal. "We need to regain, as I said, the identity and reputation of the House of Representatives," Defensor said.

Addressing the severity of the issue, he remarked, "The House needs to rebuild its reputation and regain its integrity after what has happened to the anomalous budget on the flood control [projects]. We have to rebuild public trust. What happened to the budget and the implementation of hundreds of billions of flood control— it is the highest form of plunder, plunder in the highest degree."

Defensor expressed hope that the president’s independent commission will uncover the truth and ensure accountability. "I trust the independent commission of the President will find out the truth about it. I hope there will be accountability," he added.

He concluded with a firm warning: "Someone must be held accountable, charged, and imprisoned because of this anomalous flood control that has destroyed the reputation of both Houses— the Senate and Congress."