THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has expanded its internal anti-corruption probe to now include not only flood control projects, but also farm-to-market roads, according to Malacañang.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the pronouncement after the Department of Agriculture (DA) ordered on Monday an audit of ghost or non-existent farm-to-market roads, which were built from 2021 to 2025.
She said DPWH Secretary Vivencio ‘Vince’ B. Dizon has also initiated their separate probe on this type of public works.
‘I also spoke with Secretary Vince this morning, and he said that they are also looking into this because a solution [to this issue] should be found as soon as possible,’ the Presidential Communications Office undersecretary said in Filipino in a press briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday.
The anomalous flood control projects are also being investigated by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).
Marcos created the ICI through Executive Order (EO) No. 94 to investigate sub-standard and non-existent public works then recommend to concerned government agencies the prosecution of the involved individuals or parties.
Less than a month since the ICI was formed, its special adviser, Baguio Mayor City Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong resigned due to possible conflict of interest between his role in the fact-finding panel and his duty as a local chief executive.
On Monday, Castro announced the designation by the President of retired Philippine National Police Chief, Rodolfo Azurin Jr. as the new Special Adviser and Investigator of the ICI.
Castro said Azurin was picked for the said position despite his involvement in a drug-related issue during his stint as PNP chief based on his experience and skills as an investigator, as well as ‘not being a politician.’
She also noted no case was filed against Azurin related to his alleged involvement in the cover-up in the arrest of a police sergeant, who yielded 990 kilos of shabu or methamphetamine in 2022. Azurin denied any involvement in the issue.