Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon said he will meet with the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) next week to discuss freezing assets of individuals allegedly involved in corruption related to the agency’s flood control projects.
Dizon said it is not enough to just jail those involved in the anomalous projects, adding that stolen public funds should also be recovered.
“I would meet with the Anti-Money Laundering Council on Monday so that we can discuss the possible freezing and later on forfeiture of assets of those involved in this serious theft of public funds,” Dizon said.
He said that aside from filing criminal cases and cooperating with the newly established Independent Commission on Infrastructure, the DPWH would also coordinate with the AMLC, following the order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“I need to emphasize that it is not enough to go to jail, it is not enough to be held accountable. People’s money must be returned. So, for every criminal case we file with the Ombudsman, there is a twin process to return the people’s money,” he said.
Dizon said investigations and the filing of non-bailable cases against those proven to be involved in corruption in the agency are ongoing. He said cases might be filed with the Ombudsman every week.
“We will not stop in the coming days and weeks in filing cases with the Ombudsman. Next week, we will be filing the second case. We are already preparing for the filing of the case for the projects in Oriental Mindoro,” he said.
Dizon said the provisions regarding performance bonds, warranties and securities would be followed to ensure that the projects are properly and completely completed according to the contract.
