FORMER Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary-now Senator Mark Villar may have to testify in the ongoing investigation by a special commission created to look into questionable flood control projects across the country.
“As a possibility, yes, because he was a former secretary of DPWH. I will inform you when we will be inviting Senator Villar,” said Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) executive director Brian Hosaka in a report by ABS-CBN.
Hosaka said former Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and resigned Ako-Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co will also be invited to the ICI’s next hearings.
Villar’s testimony could be crucial in finding the extent of irregularities in the government’s flood control program and ensuring accountability within the system, Hosaka said.
The lawmaker served as the DPWH secretary from 2016 to 2021 under the Duterte administration.
Current DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said it was only fair for Villar to address some of the public’s concerns regarding possible irregularities during his stint at the agency.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. created the ICI to probe alleged anomalies in flood control and public works projects, including those already fully paid for but not built or constructed with substandard materials.
The ICI as a fact-finding body is mandated to investigate alleged corruption, irregularities, and misuse of public funds in government flood control and related projects over the last 10 years.
The commission is chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes Jr., who is joined by former Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson and SGV & Co. executive Rossana Fajardo as members.
The ICI has the power to issue subpoenas; endorse the admission of witnesses into the Witness Protection Program; and recommend asset freezes, hold departure orders, and preventive suspensions to preserve the integrity of investigations.
