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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider No area will be spared from flood control project probe — Azurin

No area will be spared from flood control project probe — Azurin

Published Oct 9, 2025 03:05 pm

At A Glance

  • Newly-appointed special adviser for Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Rodolfo Azurin on Thursday, Oct. 9, vowed that no area in the Philippines will be spared from the body's investigation in relation to the anomalous flood control projects.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the inspection of a riverwall in Barangay Piel, Baliuag, Bulacan which was tagged as a 'ghost project.' (Mark Balmores)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the inspection of a riverwall in Barangay Piel, Baliuag, Bulacan which was tagged as a 'ghost project.' (Mark Balmores)
Newly-appointed special adviser for Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Rodolfo Azurin on Thursday, Oct. 9, vowed that no area in the Philippines will be spared from the body's investigation in relation to the anomalous flood control projects.
"Definitely, hindi tayo papayag. Lahat iimbestigahan natin (We will not allow any sacred cows. We will investigate all places)," Azurin, former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), told reporters at the ICI headquarters when asked if there will be sacred cows in the investigation.
According to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon, a total of 421 out of 8,000 inspected flood control projects across the country were discovered to be "ghost projects," which meant they do not exist at all.
Azurin's response came as the public cast doubt on ICI's scope of investigation, considering that there were also flood control projects contracted by the controversial Discaya couple in President Marcos' own turf, Ilocos Norte.
The ICI was formed by the President himself to identify those accountable in corruption scandal.
Azurin said he "will take the cue" from ICI Chairman and retired Supreme Court (SC) associate justice Andres Reyes Jr. regarding areas that will be probed by the body.
"We will [also] coordinate with Secretary Vince, siya yung magsasabi kung ano yung parang priority (he will be the one to determine which areas will be the priority)," he added.
Azurin, who just assumed the role from previous ICI special adviser Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong, admitted that the task at hand was really difficult given the sheer volume of flood control projects across the country.
That is the reason why the body--upon the advice of the President--could tap the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the PNP and the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) to help them validate reports of anomalous projects.
"I will go to [AFP Chief of Staff] General [Romeo] Brawner kasi kailangan din natin ng tao (because we need more people here)," he added.
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