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Advocates Philippines
Citizen Urges ICI To Probe First Lady, Maynard Ngu Over Flood Control Allegations
Photo credit: Jesus Falcis
A private citizen has asked the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to investigate First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and Special Envoy to China Maynard Ngu for their alleged ties to the controversial flood control projects now under scrutiny.
John Santander, described as a cultural and peace advocate, personally filed a letter before retired Justice Andres Reyes Jr., chairperson of the ICI, urging the body to look into what he called “possible links” between the First Lady and Ngu.
“It’s concerning that the commission has yet to invite Mr. Ngu, who was tagged as Senator Chiz Escudero’s bagman by former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo,” Santander said in an interview.
Santander’s request follows earlier reports that Bernardo, in his sworn statement, alleged that Ngu was involved in a ₱160-million kickback scheme related to infrastructure projects. The former DPWH official claimed that meetings concerning the deals took place at a Makati wine bar — a detail first published by the Bilyonaryo News Channel.
Santander also submitted photographs that, he said, show Ngu and the First Lady together at public events. However, these photos have not been independently verified by mainstream news organizations.
The citizen further claimed that Ngu had recommended Bernardo’s appointment as a senior DPWH official, but this assertion has not been corroborated by any official records or independent sources.
As of this writing, both Ngu and Araneta-Marcos have not issued statements regarding the call for investigation. The ICI, for its part, has yet to confirm whether it will take up Santander’s request, reiterating earlier that it will only invite or investigate individuals when there is “reliable and competent basis” to do so.
The ICI was established through Executive Order No. 94 signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in September 2025 to probe anomalies in government infrastructure projects, including flood-control initiatives, over the past decade.
John Santander, described as a cultural and peace advocate, personally filed a letter before retired Justice Andres Reyes Jr., chairperson of the ICI, urging the body to look into what he called “possible links” between the First Lady and Ngu.
“It’s concerning that the commission has yet to invite Mr. Ngu, who was tagged as Senator Chiz Escudero’s bagman by former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo,” Santander said in an interview.
Santander’s request follows earlier reports that Bernardo, in his sworn statement, alleged that Ngu was involved in a ₱160-million kickback scheme related to infrastructure projects. The former DPWH official claimed that meetings concerning the deals took place at a Makati wine bar — a detail first published by the Bilyonaryo News Channel.
Santander also submitted photographs that, he said, show Ngu and the First Lady together at public events. However, these photos have not been independently verified by mainstream news organizations.
The citizen further claimed that Ngu had recommended Bernardo’s appointment as a senior DPWH official, but this assertion has not been corroborated by any official records or independent sources.
As of this writing, both Ngu and Araneta-Marcos have not issued statements regarding the call for investigation. The ICI, for its part, has yet to confirm whether it will take up Santander’s request, reiterating earlier that it will only invite or investigate individuals when there is “reliable and competent basis” to do so.
The ICI was established through Executive Order No. 94 signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in September 2025 to probe anomalies in government infrastructure projects, including flood-control initiatives, over the past decade.
Oct 21, 2025
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