ICI: DPWH personnel ‘destroying, tampering’ flood control documents
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Monday denounced reports of “widespread destruction and tampering” of documents related to anomalous flood control projects committed by personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“Such acts constitute not only a blatant obstruction of ongoing investigations but also a direct assault on the public’s right to transparency and accountability,” ICI Chair Andres Reyes Jr. said in a statement.
He reiterated that all records relating 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,” warned Reyes, a retired Supreme Court associate justice.
The fact-finding body added that such acts not only obstruct accountability processes but also erode public trust in government institutions.
It called on all DPWH officials and employees to fully cooperate with the ICI investigation and preserve the integrity of all documents and evidence under their custody.
House probe
Meanwhile, newly elected Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III on Monday said he preferred to end the House infrastructure committee’s (infracomm) investigation of anomalous flood control and other infrastructure projects, pointing out that people do not trust it anyway.
Amid calls for the three House panels to wrap up their probe, Dy said that he would rather have the infracomm turn over its reports and other documents to the ICI, the body created by President Marcos to probe questionable flood control and other infrastructure projects.
“If it were up to me, the infracomm should submit to the ICI all of its reports, everything that happened during the hearings. Since the majority of our fellow Filipinos do not believe what transpired during these infracomm discussions, I think it would be better to turn it over to the ICI,” he said in Filipino.
Several civil society groups have called on both chambers of Congress to stop their probes as several of their members were linked to the anomalies.
Dy also said that House leaders and the committee on ethics and privileges would discuss the possible next steps if Ako Bicol party list Rep. Elizaldy Co fails to return in 10 days.
Dy last Friday officially revoked Co’s travel clearance, asking him to come home to answer allegations linking him to questionable budget insertions and private contractors doing public works projects.
“Maybe we’ll talk about that, the leadership will discuss that, especially with the chair of the ethics committee, as to what we can do to ensure that Co will come home,” Dy said.
When asked if there was any feedback from Co yet, Dy said they would wait for further developments since the lawmaker was given 10 days to return. —WITH A REPORT FROM GABRIEL PABICO LALU
