By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora/PNA
MANILA — Commissioner Greco Belgica on Friday disclosed that the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) is currently looking into 10 to 12 reported cases of corruption activities at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“We have around 10 or a dozen that are still pending and under investigation. That’s only for DPWH,” he told reporters at the sidelines of a coordination meeting with DPWH executives.
Belgica said most of the cases involve negotiated biddings and projects under the table but he refused to drop names or mention the DPWH regional office involved.
He declined to provide specific details saying the PACC cannot spill information yet because their investigation is ongoing.
“While the cases are still under investigation, we cannot reveal (anything). We have to complete a report and submit it to the president,” he said.
Meanwhile, he reminded all DPWH executives to “toe the line” and refrain from engaging in dubious transactions that may put the agency in a bad light.
“We are here upon the permission of the President and (DPWH) Secretary (Mark) Villar and Undersecretary (Roberto) Bernardo. If we can knock and plead with our government officials, especially district engineers, because politicians will sure(ly) be raising funds for the coming election through contractors,” he said in Filipino.
“The positions of district engineers are very powerful and critical. They are the implementors on the ground. They are the ones who handle the papers and they are the ones directly talking to the contractors,” he added.
Meanwhile, Bernardo assured that the DPWH would coordinate and provide the necessary information the PACC may require.
“Rest assured that we will coordinate. Hindi pa po yata nagpro-prosper ‘yong 12 cases pero ‘yung nauna roon, ginawa na ng DPWH ang dapat gawin doon (I think the 12 cases have yet to prosper but in the past case, the DPWH has already done whatever had to done),” he said in an interview.
Last year, Villar sacked a district engineer caught in a video allegedly extorting a PHP20-million kickback from a contractor.
