Amid the Call for Accountability, DPWH Chief Gives Update on Flood Control Issue’s Investigation
DPWH CHIEF – Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon claimed that 40 people will allegedly be jailed over the flood control issue this November.
Countless Filipinos were left angry by the supposed multi-billion flood control corruption in the Philippines. Last September 21, thousands of Filipinos including many celebrities joined the rally called the “Trillion Peso March” to call for an end to corruption in the Philippine government.
Several congressmen and senators were dragged into the flood control mess in the Philippines. Many officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways were also accused of flood control corruption. The investigation on the flood control issue is done by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure or ICI that was created upon the order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The ICI already submitted a recommendation to the Office of the Ombudsman for the filing of charges against some individuals who are accused of involvement in the flood control mess. Ombudsman Boying Remulla previously refused to name the government officials who will be facing flood control raps. According to him, they would rather file the charges first before they would name the officials.
Remulla said 15 government officials may be facing flood control raps. He also declined to categorically answer if there’s a senator in the list of individuals who will be charged.
Recently, during her visit in the province of Negros Occidental to meet and give assistance to the victims of Typhoon Tino, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte sought for accountability over the flood control issue saying that only investigations are allegedly happening until now and no one is yet punished over the issue.
Following the statement of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte who claimed that she is waiting for accountability on the issue of the anomalous flood control deals, the budget insertions, and the corruption in the Philippines, DPWH chief Vince Dizon gave an update. Based on a report on GMA News, he claimed that over 40 people allegedly involved in the flood control projects in Oriental Mindoro and Bulacan are expected to be jailed this November.
“Hindi na maghihintay ng Disyembre. Ngayon lang November ay may makukulong na,” the DPWH Chief said.
Furthermore, the flood control charges will be filed against 26 individuals over the flood control issue in Bulacan and 15 individuals in Oriental Mindoro. Based on the report, DPWH chief Vince Dizon revealed that the Discayas, former DPWH engineer Henry Alcantara, and Zaldy Co are among those who will be facing charges.
“Kung pagsasamahin natin yung dalawang kasong yun, 26 yung sa Bulacan kasama na yung mga Discaya doon at saka si (Henry) Alcantara etc. tapos 15 doon sa Mindoro kasama kay former congressman Zaldy Co at kompanya niya, ay halos 40 tao yan na makukulong doon sa dalawang kaso pa lang na yun,” Dizon said.
The Senate is said to resume its flood control hearing tomorrow, November 14. Recently, Senator Imee Marcos claimed that former House Speaker Martin Romualdez allegedly backed off from being a state witness in the flood control issue.