Metro Manila, Philippines – Eighty-seven people in the flood control scandal were recommended to face charges, while case referrals against those responsible in the alleged irregularities in the flood control projects in Cebu will be filed in January, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon said in his year-end report on Thursday, Dec. 18.
In a press briefing, Dizon presented a wrap of their findings in the flood control scam after over three months in office.
Dizon said the 87 people submitted for ombudsman’s review included key personalities, such as former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and former House appropriations chairman Zaldy Co, both facing plunder raps.
Of these recommendations, 23 people have pending cases in court – from the two cases filed by the Ombudsman with the Sandiganbayan and the Digos Regional Trial Court.
The first case involves the P290-million substandard road dike in Oriental Mindoro contracted by Sunwest Inc., while the second includes the P96.5 non-existent project in Davao Occidental made by St. Timothy Construction Corp. tied to controversial contractor Sarah Discaya.
Only nine people have so far been arrested, while seven others remain at large including Co.
“Hindi lang maliliit na isda iyon, may mga malalaking isda doon,” Dizon said.
[Translation: These are not small fishes, there are big fishes here.]
The DPWH chief noted that 90 people in the agency were either dismissed, suspended, or facing administrative cases because of their involvement in the anomalies.
Future referrals, reforms
Meanwhile, Dizon said the agency and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure will submit their findings to the ombudsman on the flood control projects in Cebu next month.
He refused to name those who will be involved.
Cebu projects were put in question after the province suffered from deadly flooding in November due to Typhoon Tino.
Dizon also said the ombudsman vowed to file at least two fresh cases in court before Christmas.
Moving forward, the secretary outlined new reforms for the DPWH, including what he called a massive recruitment of young graduates, such as engineers and accountants, next year.
“We need you. We need you to join us in this reform effort. And we will go around the schools. I will personally go around to convince you to join us because we need you. We need fresh blood. We need young, dynamic, idealistic people to join DPWH,” Dizon said, as he announced plans to hold school roadshows beginning January.
He said the agency needs to fill in at least 2,000 positions.
