Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Sunday, September 7 said he supports President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive to create an independent commission to investigate anomalies in the country’s flood control projects to dispel doubts about the ongoing investigations into the issue.

Ejercito said an independent commission would also show lawmakers’ seriousness in exacting accountability especially since most of the members of the House of Representatives and Senate could be involved.

“It is only proper that DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) officials should not take part in this investigation. They shouldn't investigate their own agency because that would be self-serving,” Ejercito said.

“As legislators, we investigate in aid of legislation. But it is better to have a separate independent investigation to remove any doubt, even ours,” he stressed.

Nevertheless, Ejercito suggested that the independent commission be composed of engineers, professionals, and retired justices of unquestionable integrity, representatives from the religious sector, and civil society groups.

“This needs to end. It's shameful to be seen this way by the whole world. Above all, it's time to restore the people's trust in the government,” he stressed.

While there are a few bad eggs that destroy the credibility of the country’s institutions, Ejercito said he believees not all contractors are fraudulent.

There are many honest and hardworking employees in the DPWH, and not all legislators are involved in this. But whoever is proven to have pocketed the public's money, they should be held accountable and punished severely,” he said.

“Only by holding those guilty accountable can we protect the innocent, restore the trust of the public, and show taxpayers that their money is not being stolen with impunity,” he stressed.