Marcos impeachment backer among alleged ‘cong-tractors’

Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!

Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.

Visit Suniway.ph to learn

January 20, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The lawmaker who endorsed the very first impeachment complaint against President Marcos is one of eight “cong-tractors” against whom the Independent Commission for Infrastructure has sought charges in relation to the flood control scam.

The ICI and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) jointly submitted a referral on Nov. 26, 2025 to the Office of the Ombudsman, stating that eight representatives have possibly committed plunder, direct bribery and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and the Government Procurement Reform Act.

The referral stems from their involvement with contracting firms that secured DPWH contracts while holding a seat in Congress.

Among the targeted “cong-tractors” is Rep. Jernie Jett Nisay of Pusong Pinoy Party-list, who has been in the House since 2022 and is part of the minority bloc.

Nisay backed the impeachment complaint against Marcos filed on Monday, accusing the Chief Executive of graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust and culpable violations of the Constitution – charges related to his decision to surrender former president Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court, his failure to veto unprogrammed appropriations, his alleged involvement in kickbacks and ghost projects and his supposed drug use.

Nisay, according to the ICI, is the general manager of JVN Construction and Trading, a sole proprietorship that was awarded three infrastructure projects from 2021 to 2022 for “major civil works.”

The commission did not elaborate on the type of projects that Nisay’s firm had obtained.

JVN bagged two contracts in 2021 worth P24.75 million and one in 2022 worth P49 million, based on the joint referral.

According to the President’s Sumbong sa Pangulo citizen complaint website, JVN’s 2022 project was a flood mitigation structure along Talisay River in Pilar, Bataan, built alongside ER Venzon Construction.

Before his stint as a party-list representative, Nisay served as councilor of Balanga City, Bataan.

Other “cong-tractors” implicated by the ICI include Reps. Edwin Gardiola (CWS), James Ang Jr. (Uswag Ilonggo), Augustina Dominique Pancho (Bulacan 2nd District), Joseph Lasam Lara (Cagayan 3rd District), Francisco Matugas (Surigao del Norte) and Noel Rivera (Tarlac 3rd District), as well as fugitive ex-lawmaker Elizaldy Co.

“These congressmen should not be engaging in private business activities that conflict with their official duties and they should not influence bids and awards,” ICI chairman Andres Reyes Jr. said. “Members of Congress must not sway procurement processes nor should they participate in or benefit from government contracts.”

Bayan slams ICI

Meanwhile, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) on Monday slammed the ICI, saying its biggest failure was refusing to probe President Marcos and Malacañang’s alleged involvement in the massive flood control corruption mess.

Bayan said the year ended without any commission investigating the alleged links between the Palace and pork barrel projects or anomalous insertions in the national budget approved by the President.

The group described ICI’s inaction as a “sin of omission” that ignored claims of Marcos’ accountability for large-scale corruption.

“At the minimum, ICI could have verified the claims of Zaldy Co that he delivered billions of kickbacks to Marcos and his top subordinates in Malacañang,” the group said in a statement.

While ICI recommended charges against some officials, Bayan said it ultimately failed to identify the masterminds and main beneficiaries of the flood control corruption scandal. The group also criticized ICI for holding closed-door sessions instead of livestreaming proceedings as promised. — Mark Ernest Villeza