By Brian Campued
Malacañang on Thursday stressed that not only anomalous flood control projects, but all questionable infrastructure works undertaken by the government, would be included in the investigations of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).
This was the response of Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Usec. and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro after she was asked about whether the alleged irregularities in hospital projects of the Department of Health (DOH) as well as the “ghost” farm-to-market roads flagged by the Department of Agriculture (DA) would be investigated by the ICI.
“Pagka po may mga dokumento, maaari naman pong ibigay ito agad sa ICI para kung sino yung mga concerned na mga tao dito at involved ay maaari po agad maipatawag para magkaroon ng mas mabilis na pag-iimbestiga,” Castro said during a press briefing.
Under Executive Order No. 94 signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the ICI is tasked to probe alleged irregularities in government flood control and other infrastructure projects in the past 10 years.
“Kaya nga po ang ginawa pong Independent Commission ay patungkol sa mga maanomalyang flood control projects and infrastructure, ibig pong sabihin, lahat po ng maaaring i-report nila na may mga anomalya, maaari po itong imbestigahan. Iyan po ang gusto ng Pangulo,” Castro said.
The creation of the fact-finding body came after the President ordered an investigation of flood control projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), as systemic corruption has eroded public trust in government.
In August, Marcos launched the “Sumbong sa Pangulo” website, where the public can report any questionable infrastructure projects in their communities as well as access information on various DPWH projects, including total project cost and the contractors involved.
As of 9:00 a.m. today, Castro announced that the platform has received a total of 19,729 complaints since its launch.
DPWH Sec. Vince Dizon, meanwhile, disclosed that around 421 flood control projects across the country from the initial 8,000 that underwent validation by the agency were found to be “ghost” projects.
On Magalong’s resignation
During the briefing, Castro also maintained that she had no hand in Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong’s resignation as special adviser to the ICI, stressing that the local chief executive’s decision to quit was entirely his choice.
“Hindi ko po saklaw ang kaniyang damdamin; siya po ang boluntaryong nag-resign—hindi naman po siya pinagre-resign… Hindi ko rin po saklaw ang kaniyang pagdedesisyon,” she said.
She made the remarks after Magalong said he stepped down from the commission following Castro’s remarks during a press briefing on Sept. 26 that he had been appointed only as a special adviser and not as a lead investigator.
“Ang aking naging pronouncement dito noong Sept. 26 na ang role ni Mayor Magalong ay ibibigay muna sa legal team, iyan po ay nanggaling sa Pangulo,” Castro said.
“Iwasan natin ang kuwentong walang ebidensiya… Iwasan po natin ang mang-intriga lalong-lalo na kung tatamaan dito ang Pangulo. Ang Pangulo po ay sumusunod lamang sa batas,” she added.
In a press conference on Sept. 15, President Marcos clarified that Magalong was designated only as special adviser “because he would have had to give up his mayorship” to take on the position of investigator to the ICI.
Magalong was replaced by former Philippine National Police chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr., who was appointed as special adviser and investigator.(with report from Harley Valbuena / PTV News)
-jpv
