Two Quezon City congressmen tagged in the flood control projects controversy appeared Friday before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).
The two are Quezon City’s 6th District Representative Marivic Co-Pilar and 5th District Representative Patrick Michael “PM” Vargas, who arrived separately at the ICI office in Taguig City to testify in relation to the alleged kickback scheme in the flood control mess.
Earlier, Co-Pilar requested an executive session, or a closed-door meeting with the panel, as the ICI has begun live streaming its hearings. Vargas likewise made a similar request.
They are among the House legislators that contractor-couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya named during a Senate hearing in September.
Both lawmakers have since denied the allegations. Co-Pilar earlier said she has never spoken to the Discayas and has not authorized anybody to deal with them. Vargas, for his part, has said the Discayas do not have any projects in his district, dismissing their claim as a “blatant lie.”
Earlier, Representative Arjo Atayde of Quezon City’s 1st District voluntarily appeared before the commission to deny links with anomalous flood control projects.
Other solons linked to the flood control mess who have so far faced the ICI include Caloocan 3rd District Representative Dean Asistio, Quezon 3rd District Representative Reynante Arrogancia, and Occidental Mindoro Representative Leody “Ode” Tarriela.