Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong claimed that as many as 90% of members of Congress are allegedly involved in corruption, describing the practice as a “way of life” for some lawmakers.
In an interview, Magalong said investigations into alleged anomalies involving flood control projects should not be limited to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Rep. Zaldy Co.
According to the mayor, broader scrutiny is needed because the issue may involve more individuals beyond those whose names have already surfaced in public discussions.
Magalong also addressed questions on why no lawmakers have been charged or convicted in connection with the allegations. He suggested that the Office of the Ombudsman may be taking extra steps to ensure that evidence is strong enough to withstand legal challenges, particularly when influential personalities are involved.
He added that investigations into corruption cases often take time and argued that government agencies need a more aggressive approach to speed up the process.
The mayor also called for stronger direction from Malacañang to help accelerate the resolution of corruption-related cases across government.
Magalong further claimed that around 240,000 infrastructure projects since 2016 have allegedly been affected by anomalies. He said these include approximately 30,000 flood control projects.
The statements come amid continuing public discussions regarding the implementation of infrastructure programs and the use of government funds for flood control projects.
As of his remarks, Magalong did not present specific evidence publicly to support the claim that 90% of lawmakers are involved in corruption. However, he maintained that corruption remains a major issue that requires sustained investigation and accountability efforts from concerned government agencies.
