Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte may create an independent task force to weed out alleged corruption in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Malacañang said Wednesday.
Public Works Secretary Mark Villar created a task force composed of DPWH officials to probe alleged anomalies in the agency following Duterte’s corruption claims.
Although the creation of the DPWH task force is “a good beginning,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque noted that some raised doubt “if it can succeed because it’s the same people investigating one another.”
“We would prefer an independent body, but let’s face it, in an organization, you need a mechanism for internal accountability. I can’t see any reason why the DPWH shouldn’t have one,” Roque said in an interview over CNN Philippines’ The Source.
“That’s why we say it’s a step toward the right direction. But this initial step is without prejudice to whatever the President may order in the near future. It is not inconceivable that another task force for the DPWH may be formed by the President in the same way he formed one for PhilHealth,” he added.
Duterte has created a task force led by the Department of Justice to probe PhilHealth officials over the corruption claims which were unearthed during different congressional inquiries.
The President first bared the alleged corruption in the agency in a recorded speech last week, saying that no infrastructure project will start without any under-the-table deals. He repeated his corruption claims on Monday night but cleared Villar of wrongdoing as he argued that the Secretary is already rich and do not to pocket government funds.
The Commission on Audit also recently flagged DPWH’s delayed and unimplemented projects amounting to P101.690 billion.
According to the state auditors, this is “contrary” to the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act as well as the agreed terms and conditions set for the project contracts.