Ex-DPWH chief Singson confirms offer to return to old post

Former Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson (INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO/Noy Morcoso)

MANILA, Philippines — Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) chief Rogelio Singson on Thursday confirmed he had received feelers from the Palace to return to his old post amid controversies hounding flood control projects. 

Singson made the remark in a televised interview on Thursday.

READ: No work done: ‘Angry’ Marcos mulls raps vs Baliuag flood project builders 

“Definitely, there are feelers,” he said in an ANC interview, admitting that he had met with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to discuss the need for an integrated water resources management program to help control flooding in the country.

He, however, was quick to brush off the idea of returning as DPWH chief.

“I think that’s far-fetched because my wife will leave me already if I go back to government,” he said.

Meanwhile, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro told reporters to just wait for Marcos’ decision regarding the matter.

READ: Palace: Bonoan did not receive Aquino admin flood control master plan

The DPWH is under scrutiny after Marcos warned in his recent State of the Nation Address that those involved in anomalous flood-control projects would be held accountable.

A few weeks later, Marcos revealed that around 60 percent of these projects either lacked clear descriptions or were located in different areas despite having the same contract cost.

He also disclosed that 15 contractors accounted for 20 percent of all flood-control projects nationwide.

One of these firms, St. Timothy Construction Corp., was flagged by Marcos himself for allegedly failing to rehabilitate a river-protection structure in Bulacan. / gsg