Malacañang said it would be up to President Rodrigo Duterte if he would reveal lawmakers’ names tagged in anomalies surrounding some projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“Let’s leave that decision to the President,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said at a press briefing. “To my knowledge, the PACC has not submitted anything to the President as of now.”
Last week, Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission commissioner Greco Belgica claimed that some lawmakers are manipulating the implementation of DPWH projects and district engineers’ designation.
Belgica added that the PACC would submit to Duterte the details of the irregularities and lawmakers’ names who could be involved.
Meanwhile, DPWH, on Monday, said it had established a task force against graft and corruption to probe allegations of widespread anomalies in the agency.
“This is not only in line with President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s stringent policy towards a clean government but also aimed at providing quality infrastructure as DPWH is one of the lead agencies steering the Build, Build, Build program,” said Public Works Secretary Mark Villar.
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Up to Duterte whether to reveal names of lawmakers in DPWH graft
Duterte earlier denounced “prevalent” and “massive corruption” at the DPWH.
Villar had already put several measures to address the problem of corruption, including geotagged photo monitoring of projects before implementation, upon mobilization, monthly progress, and completion. He also set up a system that requires an audit in all technical processes of projects.
He also launched a document tracking system for civil works, consulting services, and goods procurement in all DPWH offices nationwide. He also intensified the programs to blacklist contractors who violate government contracts.
Commission on Audit earlier flagged over P100 billion worth of delayed and unimplemented agency projects in 2019.
Despite the irregularities surrounding DPWH, Senator Bong Go, Duterte’s former aid, said the President still trusts Villar.
Go added that he would recommend creating another task force that would employ “a whole-of-government approach” to fight corruption in the country.