President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he will soon issue an executive order creating an independent commission to probe anomalies in DPWH flood-control projects.
This will be the sixth government body to conduct parallel investigations into the flood infrastructure deals mess, following separate efforts by the Commission on Audit, Ombudsman, Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The body will serve as an investigative arm and submit recommendations to the government on whether cases should be pursued before the Department of Justice or the Ombudsman, Mr. Marcos said.
“The more we look, the more we find. Even in the 2026 budget, there’s still a lot that was slipped in,” President Marcos said, adding that corruption in the DPWH “really needs to be cleaned out properly.”
He said the commission’s composition has yet to be finalized, but it is expected to include forensic investigators, lawyers, prosecutors and justices.
“It depends on its structure, whether it has five members, seven members, and who will lead it. We haven’t finalized the structure yet.,” Mr. Marcos said.
For her part, Rep. Leila de Lima of Mamamayang Liberal party-list said Mr. Marcos’ independent body should be “fast and quick.”
“We urge the President to fast-track the creation and constitution of this independent commission as this is what we’ve been suggesting ever since these anomalies were exposed, in order to preclude any issue of conflict of interest, propriety and prudence,” De Lima said.
“Delaying the creation of an independent and comprehensive investigation on the issue gives corrupt officials, shameless contractors and the DPWH syndicate the opportunity to cover up the evidence or divert the matter to escape accountability,” she added.
The Senate last week began its own probe into the flood-control project mess while the House of Representatives will start its separate hearing today.
Aside from the inquiries by the legislative branch, two Constitutional bodies – COA and the Ombudsman – are also looking into allegations of substandard or even “ghost” flood-control projects.
COA chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba ordered a performance audit, which will focus on assessing the objectives of the flood control projects, including the government’s Flood Risk Management and Resiliency Program (FRMRP).
The Office of the Ombudsman has also formed a special body to conduct a motu proprio investigation into the questionable flood control projects implemented by the DPWH as well as the local government units.
The panel is headed by Assistant Ombudsman of the Field Investigation Office I Caesar Asuncion as chairperson and Assistant Ombudsman of the Field Investigation Office II Maria Olivia Elena Roxas as co-chairperson.
“The Special Panel of Investigators is directed to conduct a prompt investigation, gather evidence, and recommend appropriate actions, including the filing of criminal and administrative cases, against all individuals found responsible,” the Ombudsman order stated.
Last week, the BIR launched a tax fraud audit of contractors linked to alleged anomalous flood control projects.
BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. said all revenue offices have been directed to conduct parallel audits to determine whether contractors involved in questionable projects paid the correct taxes.
Beyond administrative penalties, the commissioner warned that contractors proven to have willfully under-declared taxes could face tax evasion charges.
He said the bureau may also impose tax liens to protect public funds.
“If it can be proven that they underpaid or incorrectly paid their taxes, they will not be issued an updated tax clearance,” Lumagui said.
“This means they will be disqualified from future government procurements and the final settlement of their current contracts will also be suspended,” he added.
