By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Not long after the revelation of anomalous flood control projects unearthed on President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s ocular inspection in Calumpit and Baliwag, Bulacan in August, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Commission on Audit (COA) officially recommended the filing of criminal charges against contractors behind these flawed flood mitigation infrastructures this Monday.
This, as the President repeatedly vented sentiments of frustration, dismay, and anger in his speeches on various occasions, with the Chief Executive even bursting into tears during the 4th episode of the BBM Podcast, which aired on Sunday.
The Joint Referral by the DPWH and COA is in accordance with Marcos’ directive to ensure accountability and unearth the truth behind this pressing national concern.
Among the contractors in the list submitted to the Ombudsman were Wawao Builders, SYMS Construction Trading, and St. Timothy Construction, with the latter being one of the companies owned by the Discaya couple that was involved in the ‘ghost’ and anomalous flood control projects.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon declared, “Umpisa pa lamang ito ng ating gagawing pagsasaayos ng ahensya. Sisiguraduhin nating bawat sangkot ay mananagot, at makukulong. Kasunod nito, isasangguni rin namin sa Office of the Ombudsman ang pagsampa ng kasong kriminal laban sa mga napatunayang tiwali sa DPWH.”
He added, expressing optimism that an internal cleansing of the agency will aid in the betterment of the nation, “Hindi makakamove-on ang DPWH kung hindi natin mapupurge itong institusyon na ito at ng masasamang tao. At ‘yon ang commitment ko kay Pangulo at sa ating mga kababayan. Hindi tayo titigil hangga’t magawa natin.”
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