Flood project investigation to cover past DPWH leadership - Malacañang

Metro Manila, Philippines - Malacañang assured the public that flood control projects by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), including those initiated under past leaderships, will be investigated as public frustration mounts over widespread flooding and alleged corruption.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin emphasized the government’s commitment to transparency in the wake of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s stinging rebuke of corruption in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 28.

“Of course, lahat ng trabaho rito sa gobyerno pwedeng buksan at imbestigahan lalo na kung may symptoms or manifestations of fraud,” Bersamin told reporters when asked if the probe will cover past DPWH leadership.

[Translation: Of course, all government work can be opened up and investigated, especially if there are symptoms or signs of fraud.]

Bersamin said the administration will allow official probes to proceed with caution but added that silence in the face of wrongdoing is unacceptable.

“Whatever it will take. Kasi it’s useless kung may napansin ka and you keep quiet — that’s also a crime,” he said.

[Translation: Because it’s useless if you notice something and stay silent — that’s also a crime.]

Marcos strongly condemned those allegedly involved in anomalous infrastructure projects, particularly flood control systems that failed to protect communities from nonstop heavy rain.

The president accused certain officials and contractors of pocketing public funds through fraudulent schemes.

“Huwag na po tayong magkunwari. Alam naman ng buong madla na nagkaka-racket sa mga proyekto,” he said, met with cheers.

[Translation: Let’s not pretend. The public knows these projects are rigged.]

“Mga kickback, mga initiative, errata, SOP, for the boys. Kaya sa mga nakikipagsabwatan upang kunin ang pondo ng bayan at nakawin ang kinabukasan ng ating mga mamamayan, mahiya naman kayo sa inyong kapwa Pilipino! Mahiya naman kayo sa mga kabahayan nating naanod o nalubog sa mga pagbaha! Mahiya naman kayo lalo sa mga anak natin na magmamana sa mga utang na ginawa ninyo, na binulsa niyo lang ang pera,” he said at the joint session of Congress that was met by a standing ovation from lawmakers and the gallery crowd.

[Translation: Kickbacks, initiatives, errata, standard operating procedures - ‘for the boys.’ So to those colluding to steal public funds and rob our fellow citizens of their future - shame on you! Be ashamed of the homes swept away or submerged in flood. Be ashamed especially for our children who will inherit the debts you created while pocketing the money.”]

Marcos then outlined immediate measures aimed at exposing and addressing failed projects.

“Para hindi na maulit. So that this will not happen again: First, the DPWH will immediately submit to me a list of all flood control projects from every region that were started or completed in the last three years. Second, the Regional Project Monitoring Committee shall examine that list of projects and give a report on those that have been failures, those that were not finished, and those that are alleged to be ghost projects. And third, we will publish this list,” he said.

He also said he will scrutinize the spending of public funds.

“There will be an audit and performance review regarding these projects, to check and make sure, and to know how your money was spent,” he said.

Marcos vowed that legal consequences await those found guilty of wrongdoing.

“Sa mga susunod na buwan, makakasuhan ang lahat ng mga lalabas na may sala mula sa imbestigasyon. Pati na ang mga kasabwat na kontratista sa buong bansa,” he said.

[Translation: In the coming months, charges will be filed against all those found guilty through the investigation, including the contractors who were in collusion across the country.]