Update from DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon on Flood Control Mess Investigation, Filing of Charges
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon claimed that over 40 flood control accused in Bulacan and Oriental Mindoro may be jailed this November.
Many Filipinos called for accountability over the supposed multi-billion flood control corruption in the Philippines. Several government officials including congressmen, senators, and officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are linked to the flood control mess. Amid the issue, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the creation of an independent body that will probe the issue.
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure or ICI was created upon the order of Marcos Jr. It is led by former Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes Jr. The three-member body has already conducted hearings over the flood control issue.
Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez was one of the government officials who appeared before the ICI. According to the presidential cousin and Leyte Congressman, he is ready to extend any help for the fast resolution of the issue.
Amid the public clamor, the ICI agreed to livestream its future flood control hearings. However, the commission refused to release copies of the recordings of the previous flood control hearings. Aside from Romualdez, Senator Chiz Escudero also appeared before the commission.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte recently called for accountability on the corruption issues in the Philippines. According to her, the authorities are all investigations and no one has yet to be punished over the supposed flood control corruption. She made the statement during her visit to the typhoon Tino victims in Negros Occidental.
Recently, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon gave an update on the flood control investigation in the Philippines. Based on a report on GMA News, the Public Works Secretary claimed that more than 40 flood control accused may be jailed this November.
“Hindi na maghihintay ng Disyembre. Ngayon lang November ay may makukulong na,” the DPWH Secretary said.
Based on the report, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon also revealed that 26 flood control accused in Bulacan might be jailed this month and 15 flood control accused in Bulacan. He also revealed some of the accused in the issue.
“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.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said that criminal charges will be filed in connection with the flood control projects in Bulacan and Oriental Mindoro as per Ombudsman Boying Remulla. The charges may be filed either this week or next week.
Recently, ahead of the resumption of the Senate flood control hearings, presidential sister and Senator Imee Marcos spoke on the flood control witnesses.