DPWH to file charges vs contractors insiders in flood project mess
By Trixee Rosel
At A Glance
- DPWH to file charges this week vs contractors and insiders in ghost flood control projects.
- First batch of cases to be endorsed Monday with COA; cases vs DPWH personnel to follow.
- Senator Lacson to provide additional evidence in privilege speech.
- Dizon backs bank waiver proposal for DPWH officials as part of reforms.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon (Photo courtesy of DPWH)
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon said he will endorse criminal charges this week against contractors and agency insiders linked to ghost and substandard flood control projects.
Dizon said the first batch of cases against contractors will be submitted on Monday (Sept. 15) in coordination with the Commission on Audit (COA), while a separate set targeting DPWH personnel will follow later this week.
“Sa Huwebes o Biyernes, inaayos na rin natin ang mga kaso dito sa mga (taga)-loob ng DPWH, kaya lang na-delay ng konti dahil hinihintay natin ‘yung privilege speech ni Sen. Panfilo Lacson sa Wednesday dahil nagsabi siya sa akin na bibigyan niya ako ng dagdag na ebidensya against dito sa ibang masasamang kawani ng DPWH na naging ka-kuntsaba ng mga contractor na ito (By Thursday or Friday, we will also be preparing the cases against the insiders of the DPWH, but this was slightly delayed as we are waiting for the privilege speech of Senator Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday since he told me he would provide additional evidence against some corrupt DPWH personnel who colluded with these contractors,)” Dizon said.
The DPWH will also forward the names of implicated individuals to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for possible inclusion in immigration lookout bulletins to prevent them from leaving the country.
At the same time, Dizon expressed support for Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno’s proposal requiring DPWH officials to sign bank waivers to ensure transparency and accountability in the agency.
He said the DPWH legal team has been directed to study the measure’s possible implementation.
As part of his internal reforms, Dizon required all undersecretaries to submit courtesy resignations and is considering the appointment of five outsiders to the posts, stressing the need for trusted officials capable of carrying out reforms.