ATAYDE DENIES FLOOD CONTROL ALLEGATIONS, VOWS TO COOPERATE WITH PROBE

QUEZON City 1^st district Rep. Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde on Tuesday emphatically denied allegations linking him to anomalous flood control projects, saying the claims are “completely false” and part of a smear campaign.

The lawmaker vowed to continue cooperating with the Independent Commission Infrastructure (ICI), saying: “Haharap muli ako kung kinakailangan. Hindi ako iiwas at hindi rin po ako aalis ng bansa. I owe that to the public I serve, to my family, and to my own conscience.”

Atayde, who voluntarily appeared before the ICI, maintained that all flood control projects in his district were initiated and proposed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

“Alam ko sa sarili ko, at malinaw sa mga dokumento, na wala akong kinalaman sa anumang katiwalian,” Atayde said after attending to the ICI invitation at its office in Taguig City.

He reiterated that all flood control projects in his district were initiated and proposed by the DPWH, long before they reached Congress, and that he was never part of the Bicameral Conference Committee, the only group allowed to alter the national budget.

Atayde also said that he had zero authority over DPWH procurement, contractor selection, project implementation, or payment releases.

The lawmaker also distanced himself from controversial contractor couple, Pacifico and Cezarah Discaya, saying that: “Wala pong kahit anong ugnayan na magdudugtong sa amin.”

He also cited DPWH certifications that the projects in his district exist, are implemented, and are fully documented.

“Wala pong ghost projects sa distrito natin. Wala pong ninakaw na pera ng bayan,” he said.

Atayde said it would be easy to point fingers and create stories, but believes that “truth has a way of rising above all noise.”

“I came before the Commission because I want the truth to be heard, and because I stand with every Filipino who is tired of corruption and wants real accountability, Naninindigan ako dahil alam kong wala akong tinatago.” said the Quezon City solon.