Manila: The administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is beginning to hold accountable those involved in the flood control scandal, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon announced Wednesday. This development follows the filing of the first batch of cases against former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co and several former officials of the DPWH over alleged anomalous flood control projects in Oriental Mindoro before the Sandiganbayan on Tuesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the DPWH chief expressed confidence that the cases against the accused will be robust. “This is what the President is saying: we are all impatient, we are all angry-the people. But we need to follow the process to ensure that those who should be held accountable are held accountable,” Dizon stated. He also noted that the proceedings related to the flood control scam are progressing more swiftly than other graft and corruption cases.
Dizon highlighted that the case was filed in the Sandiganbayan less than two months ago, and arrest warrants are anticipated to be issued in the coming days. He further revealed that former DPWH officials and contractors will soon be charged concerning ghost and substandard flood control projects in Bulacan. This initiative aligns with the President’s directive to recover public funds, prosecute those involved in fraudulent projects, and ensure imprisonment for the guilty parties.
On Tuesday, the Office of the Ombudsman filed the cases at the anti-graft court against Co, several DPWH Mimaropa officials, and Sunwest Corporation’s board of directors. The case pertains to the construction of a road dike along the Mag-Asawang Tubig River, valued at over PHP289 million, which was determined to be substandard. The accused face charges for alleged violations of Article 217 in relation to Article 171(4) of the Revised Penal Code (malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents), and Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
