DOJ-led task force to focus on DPWH corruption — Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — After probing the corruption within the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), the Department of Justice (DOJ)-led task force will now focus on investigating the alleged anomalies in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

President Rodrigo Duterte said this in a taped speech Tuesday as he again reiterated his vow to use the remainder of his term to weed out corruption.

“‘Yung task force na nabuo ko…this time we will look into every department but upon my request, behest, to focus sa corruptions a DPWH,” Duterte said.

But he immediately clarified that he has nothing against Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, whom he called as hardworking.

“Let me state here and now, that I have nothing against Sec. Villar. He’s one of the hardworking (officials) at maraming accomplishments si Sec. Villar,” Duterte said.

“But you know accomplishments alone should not suffice…(but) it’s not his job to be running after crooks,” he added.

The President previously bared the alleged corruption in the DPWH, saying that no infrastructure project will start without any under-the-table deals. He repeated his corruption claims in another recorded speech but cleared Villar of wrongdoing as he argued that the Secretary is already rich and does not need to pocket government funds.

READ: Duterte again hits corruption in DPWH projects, but clears ‘moneyed’ Mark Villar

READ: Duterte still trusts Villar despite alleged corruption in DPWH — Palace

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 Republic Act No. 9184, or the Government Procurement Reform Act, as well as the agreed terms and conditions set for the project contracts.

READ: COA: Over P101B worth of DPWH projects delayed, unimplemented