President Marcos said Malacañang is finalizing an executive order to create an independent commission tasked with investigating anomalies at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), stressing that irregularities continue to be uncovered even in the proposed 2026 budget.

In an interview in Pasay City, Marcos said the new body will serve as the administration’s investigative arm to examine reports of anomalies and recommend accountability measures.

“They will continue to investigate whatever information is received. It will be sent to them, they will investigate it, and they will make recommendations as to how to proceed,” he told reporters on Monday, Sept. 1.

The President stressed that the commission is necessary because of the persistence of corruption despite reforms.

“Unfortunately, the more we look, the more we find,” he said.

“Kahit sa 2026 budget, marami pa ring siningit (Even in the proposed 2026 budget, there were still insertions). It really needs to be cleaned out properly,” he added.

While details of the commission’s composition are still being ironed out, Marcos said he envisions a multi-member body that can act independently in reviewing anomalies.

“Five members ba, seven members? Sino maghe-head, sinong chair (Who will be the chair)? All of those things. So we haven’t put the structure together yet,” he said.

While names of possible members have yet to be disclosed, the President emphasized that competence and independence would be the basis of appointments.

The President said the panel will include lawyers, prosecutors, and forensic investigators who will review evidence and identify liable parties.

The commission will then decide whether cases should be filed with the Department of Justice (DOJ) or referred to the Office of the Ombudsman.

“They will put together that information and make the recommendation to either the DOJ or the Ombudsman, depending on who is found to be part of all of this corruption that has been going on, not only in flood control. All of the workings within DPWH,” Marcos said.

The planned commission came after Marcos accepted the resignation of Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan, who stepped down on Sept. 1 under the principle of command responsibility.

Bonoan was replaced by former Transportation chief Vince Dizon, who took his oath as the new DPWH secretary the same day. Dizon has been tasked to conduct a “full organizational sweep” of the department to restore public trust in infrastructure spending.

Malacañang earlier said the anti-corruption drive at DPWH is central to the Bagong Pilipinas governance push, with the Palace seeking to ensure that public funds go only to projects that protect and benefit Filipinos.

Meanwhile, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Marcos was angered by reports of alleged budget insertions in the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP).

Castro said this after President Marcos claimed that there were still insertions in the proposed 2026 budget. 

“Galit na po ang Pangulo at ayaw po niya na may isinisingit pa sa budget dahil ang budget na ‘to ay para sa taumbayan at para sa proyekto para sa bayan (The President is already angry and does not want any insertions in the budget because this budget is for the people and for national projects),” she said in a press briefing on Monday.

The Palace Press Officer stressed that lawmakers raising concerns should first coordinate with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to verify whether projects cited as “completed” still had pending components. Castro cited as an example the long stretch of the Marikina River, where some portions may already be finished while other sections remain under construction.

She added that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) had explained its role as a conduit of project submissions.

“Kung may ipapakita silang mga ebidensiya po talaga na ito’y naisingit lamang upang gamiting pansariling interes, kailangan mapanagot kung sinuman ang naglagay nito at iyan po ay hindi papayagan ng Pangulo (If evidence shows that items were inserted for personal gain, whoever placed them must be held accountable, and the President will not allow it),” Castro said.

She also pointed out that the NEP’s transmission to Congress is precisely why budget hearings exist — to surface irregularities and allow the executive and legislative branches to coordinate on corrections.

Castro said the President was relying on DPWH Secretary Dizon to take the lead in addressing such issues at the agency level, while Congress exercises its oversight role in scrutinizing the proposed budget.