Manila, Aug. 19 -- The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Tuesday opened its inquiry into alleged anomalies in multibillion-peso flood control projects, with senators citing reports of "ghost projects," substandard works, and the concentration of contracts among a few favored contractors.

Committee chairperson Senator Rodante Marcoleta said the motu proprio investigation, dubbed "Philippines Under Water," was prompted by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s recent disclosure that at least 15 contractors cornered a disproportionate share of flood control projects worth around PHP100 billion.

"It's time to find out and analyze the truth behind the anomalies surrounding the contracts allocated for flood control. Enough with the circling and di...