Probe of contractors seen prompting amendment to laws
The ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in the licensing and accreditation of contractors will prompt a review of existing laws and policies to enforce stricter rules moving forward.
This is according to Trade Secretary Cristina Roque, who said the fact-finding body created within the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is working alongside the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure that President Marcos convened to address the issues.
Roque raised concerns over board members of the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP) and the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) having ownership or involvement in construction companies.
“Like before, you can be a contractor and be a board member of PCAB. Of course, that’s a conflict of interest. That was the law before,” the trade chief said in an interview.
Roque pointed out that there is no specific law that prohibits those engaged in construction from serving on the board in the past.
“But of course, just like all laws, we have to keep changing them as time goes by. Hindi naman siya puwede andoon pa rin (That provision is no longer applicable),” she told reporters.
Roque said the DTI will include resigned CIAP and PCAB officials in its inquiry even if they are no longer part of the board.
“For those who resigned, yes, they will really go through the investigation,” Roque said.
The DTI announced the establishment of a fact-finding team more than two weeks ago. It is tasked to oversee the comprehensive review of PCAB’s current board members and officials. It is expected to submit recommendations to President Marcos, including the potential removal of erring officials.
Questions on integrity
Numerous allegations of conflicts of interest, irregularities and potential abuses of authority in the contractor accreditation process—which raised questions about the board’s integrity and operations—moved the DTI to launch an investigation and implement a major shake-up in both offices.
PCAB executive director Herbert Matienzo resigned early this month, citing personal reasons. PCAB board member Erni Baggao also stepped down, citing personal and health reasons, while Arthur Escalante’s term as PCAB board member lapsed in May.
Roque then announced Doris Gacho and engineer Sergie Retome as acting executive directors of the CIAP and PCAB, respectively. This, until Mr. Marcos appoints replacements.
The DTI aims to wrap up the investigation “as soon as possible,” she said, noting that the PCAB still handles the licensing process while approvals go through her office.
PCAB, an attached agency of the DTI and one of the implementing boards of CIAP, announced it is still accepting license applications through its online portal.
“However, the approval and issuance of licenses can only proceed upon the appointment or reconstitution of the PCAB Board,” PCAB said in a Facebook post.
