Alarmed that the purported continued massive corruption at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has been “jeopardizing” the Duterte government’s Build, Build, Build program, Cavite Rep. Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr. asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Sunday, Oct.18, to pursue cases against erring individuals, even as he urged the Senate to dig deeper into the issue.
The House leader said the NBI and Senate can conduct credible probes into the purported widespread corruption in the agency.
“Let the axe fall where it may. The NBI can pursue a case built up against people behind the systemic and systematic corruption at the DPWH. Some senators who have been talking about the huge lump sum appropriations in the DPWH budget for next year could help shed light into the President’s complaint by conducting a probe on the matter,” Barzaga said in a statement.
He urged the Senate to take the opportunity “to exercise its legislative function and draw inputs from possible investigations on the matter similar to PhilHealth investigation.”
In a televised address to the nation, Duterte expressed serious concern over the “grave” corruption in the DPWH, saying that “no construction begins without a transaction.”
He made the statement, even as senators questioned the DPWH for over P300 billion in lump sum appropriations embedded in the agency’s proposed P667.3 billion budget for next year.
“We need to help the President on his campaign to stamp out the deep-rooted corruption in all levels of governance. It’s really frustrating that this is continuing even in the middle of our pandemic battle,” Barzaga said.
“The continued web of corruption at DPWH has been jeopardizing the President’s Build, Build, Build programs with alleged substandard infrastructure projects. No less than President Duterte had stated that no construction will proceed without money changing hands,” he added.
The senior administration lawmaker said through his proposed Senate-NBI parallel probe, concerned DPWH officials and other personalities will be given the opportunity “to present their sides on serious corruption allegations made by President Duterte and save the agency as an institution from further disgrace and embarrassment.”
He noted that the contractors and project engineers have been identified as the biggest source of corruption in the DPWH.
President Duterte had lamented that the part of expenses on government projects for infrastructure was allegedly allocated for kickbacks.
Barzaga expressed belief that Villar has nothing to do with the purported irregularities happening in his agency.
“I had not heard of any irregularity on the DPWH secretary’s projects during his stint as congressman of Las Piñas City,” he said.
He noted that despite the President’s statement on the brazen corruption in the department, Villar still enjoys the trust and confidence of the Chief Executive.
“With more than P600-billion-worth of infrastructure projects, it would be impossible for Sec. Villar to monitor and therefore he has to rely on his regional directors and district engineers in the entire country,” he said.