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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DPWH personnel 'destroying, tampering' with flood control project documents — ICI

DPWH personnel 'destroying, tampering' with flood control project documents — ICI

Published Sep 22, 2025 03:03 pm

At A Glance

  • Some Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) personnel are allegedly destroying and tampering with official documents linked to anomalous flood control projects, Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Chairman Retired Supreme Court (SC) Jjustice Andres Reyes said Monday, Sept. 22.
Some Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) personnel are allegedly destroying and tampering with official documents linked to anomalous flood control projects, Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Chairman Retired Supreme Court (SC) Jjustice Andres Reyes said Monday, Sept. 22.
In a statement, Reyes said the body "strongly condemns the reports of widespread destruction and tampering of official documents by personnel of the DPWH in connection with anomalous flood control projects".
Such acts constitute not only a blatant obstruction of the ongoing probe but also a direct assault to the public's right to transparency and accountability, Reyes said.
Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that is also investigating the controversy, said in an interview with reporters that such acts seem to betray the agency's guilt.
"That's criminal... When you destroy, you're destroying the records para hindi ma-trace yung kalokohan nila (so that their shenanigans can't be traced)," he said.
Reyes stressed that all records related to public works are public property.

"Any attempt to destroy, falsify or conceal them is a grave offense that carries both administrative and criminal liability," he said.
The Palace-created body's chairperson called on the DPWH, which is now under the leadership of Secretary Vince Dizon, to "fully cooperate and preserve the integrity of all documents and evidence under their custody".
Dizon took over the reins from Manuel Bonoan as agency chief only last Sept. 2.
Tampering case recorded in Baguio City
Dizon said he already ordered all DPWH district offices across the country to preserve all documents within the past 10 years and cooperate with the ongoing ICI investigation.
This came after he got wind of reports that the DPWH district office in Baguio City tampered with documents related to infrastructure projects.
"As soon as I received those reports, we acted immediately. So, as of today, I have already issued a formal charge against Rene Zarate, district engineer of Baguio City, with an order for preventive suspension of 90 days," he told reporters.
He said the same office refused to cooperate and submit related documents to Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong, who is the ICI's special adviser.
"Nakaka-worry... although inexoect na natin 'to, pero sa dami ng district offices... kailangan talaga na umaksyon tayo ng mabilis dito (This is worrisome...although we expect this to happen, having a high number of district offices mean we really have to act fast)," he said.
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