'Doon tayo sa giyera’: Magalong ready to face lawmakers on flood control probe

Baguio City, Philippines - Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said he is prepared to appear at the House of Representatives - the “real battlefield” when it comes to probing controversial flood control projects.

“In fact, meron nagsabi sa akin na may invitation na yung Senate sa akin. But, if you talk about my preference, I would rather appear sa lower house. Kasi nga, doon nga yung gera. Doon tayo pupunta sa may gera,” Magalong said in an interview with reporters.

[Translation: In fact, I was told that there is already an invitation from the Senate. But if you ask me, I would rather appear in the lower house because that’s where the battle is. That’s where we should go.]

Magalong explained that he intends to show respect to the Senate but emphasized that he wants to testify first before the House.

Sen. Ping Lacson earlier said 67 members of the House have been involved in flood control projects in one way or another. He did not name names.

“Doon naman sa Senate, with all due respect, gusto ko lang na magbigay galang sa kanila. But sana maintindihan nila na kung pwede sana, doon muna ako mauna sa Kamara,” he said.

[Translation: With all due respect to the Senate, I just want to show courtesy. But I hope they understand that if possible, I want to appear before the House first.]

When asked if he was ready to name names in the alleged corruption issue, Magalong was cautious: “Siguro, hindi ko muna sagutin yan. Buti na lang siguro. Ang sagot ko lang dyan is kung saan yung battlefield, doon tayo.”

[Translation: Maybe I won’t answer that for now. My only response is: wherever the battlefield is, that’s where I’ll be.]

House infrastructure committee co-chairpersons Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon said they would invite Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon rather than the Baguio mayor.

“I think in due time, not in the next hearing,” he said when asked by reporters if Magalong would appear soon.

Tensions rose in the initial hearing when Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco pressed Manila 6th District Rep. Benny Abante Jr. to move to formally invite Magalong, citing the mayor’s willingness to appear.

“Nadinig ko po yung interview nyo, sabi nyo po dapat pangalanan po ni Mayor Magalong. Ayaw nyo bang mag-present ng motion na imbitahan na sya kaagad, para pangalanan na rin po nya? At sinabi naman po nya na willing naman po syang maimbitahan?” Tiangco said.

[Translation: I heard your interview, and you said Mayor Magalong should name names. Don’t you want to present a motion to invite him right away, so he can name them? And he already said he’s willing to be invited.]

Abante later decided to defer, citing unfinished interpellations with contractors.