As the Senate gears up for the historic impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, a renewed push to investigate alleged corruption in billions of pesos worth of flood control projects is igniting fresh political tensions and raising questions about competing priorities in the upper chamber.
The controversy erupted after Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano announced the creation of a Blue Ribbon subcommittee that will revive the Senate’s investigation into alleged anomalies in government flood control projects, a long-running issue that has become a symbol of public frustration over recurring floods despite massive state spending.
The move, however, immediately drew criticism from some lawmakers who questioned whether the timing of the probe could divert attention from the impeachment proceedings expected to dominate the national political landscape in the coming weeks.
Under the Senate leadership’s plan, Senator Rodante Marcoleta, vice chairperson of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, will lead the subcommittee and resume hearings on June 4. Notices for the investigation are expected to be issued ahead of the proceedings.
Cayetano described the inquiry as part of the Senate’s continuing effort to expose what he referred to as a “flood control scam” that has allegedly drained billions of pesos from government coffers while failing to deliver meaningful protection to communities repeatedly devastated by floods.
Yet for critics, the sudden revival of the issue raises concerns about political timing.
Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said the Senate must ensure that anti-corruption investigations are not perceived as competing with or overshadowing the constitutional duty of trying an impeachment case.
“People are naturally asking why there is suddenly a renewed sense of urgency now,” Acidre said. “The Senate already has a major constitutional responsibility ahead of it, and many are wondering whether this development could shift public attention away from matters that demand equal, if not greater, scrutiny.”
The lawmaker noted that flood control irregularities are already being pursued through existing legal channels, including complaints filed before the Office of the Ombudsman.
According to Acidre, the Ombudsman remains the proper venue for determining criminal and administrative liability involving public officials implicated in questionable infrastructure projects.
“There is already a process underway,” he said. “The Ombudsman is equipped to investigate these allegations and determine accountability.”
The remarks reflect growing unease among some members of the House of Representatives, where lawmakers are preparing for the Senate’s role as an impeachment court in the case against Duterte.
Political observers note that the convergence of the two high-profile issues could place the Senate under intense public scrutiny.
On one hand, the flood control investigation touches on a perennial issue that resonates strongly with the public. Successive administrations have poured hundreds of billions of pesos into flood mitigation programs over the years, yet devastating floods continue to plague many parts of the country. Allegations of ghost projects, substandard construction, and misuse of funds have repeatedly surfaced but rarely resulted in high-profile convictions.
On the other hand, the impeachment proceedings against Duterte are expected to become one of the most consequential political events in recent Philippine history. The trial carries significant implications not only for the Vice President’s political future but also for the balance of power among the country’s competing political factions ahead of the 2028 presidential race.
Acidre warned that the increasingly charged political atmosphere could blur public understanding of the impeachment process.
“The danger is when unrelated issues and political noise begin to cloud the real questions that need to be answered,” he said. “The impeachment process should proceed based on evidence and constitutional principles, not be drowned out by competing narratives.”
Analysts say the Senate now faces the challenge of proving that it can simultaneously pursue accountability on multiple fronts without allowing either issue to be perceived as politically motivated.
The decision to place Marcoleta at the helm of the flood control inquiry has also attracted attention given his prominent role in several politically sensitive investigations in recent years. Supporters argue that his appointment signals a serious effort to pursue allegations of corruption, while critics contend that the Senate must guard against perceptions that congressional investigations are being used to influence public opinion ahead of major political battles.
For now, both tracks appear set to move forward.
The flood control hearings are scheduled to resume next week, while preparations continue for the formal opening of Vice President Duterte’s impeachment trial on July 6.
As the Senate prepares to tackle two of the country’s most politically explosive issues simultaneously, the institution faces mounting pressure to demonstrate that its investigations are driven by accountability rather than political calculation.
Whether the flood control probe uncovers long-sought answers or becomes another flashpoint in the country’s intensifying political conflict may ultimately shape public confidence in the Senate’s ability to discharge its constitutional responsibilities in the months ahead.