MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) created a special team to pursue contractors allegedly involved in anomalous flood control projects, Secretary Vince Dizon announced on Friday.
In a press briefing, Dizon said the move was part of the agency’s intensified crackdown on corruption in infrastructure spending, stressing that erring contractors must return funds meant for critical flood prevention works.
“Whoever the evidence points to, that’s where we will go. As the President said, we will spare no one—no friends, no relatives, and no allies,” Dizon said in Filipino.
He added that freezing and forfeiture of assets, including bonds, security, and warranties of involved contractors, were being prepared.
“Wherever the evidence leads, that’s where we will go. That is also the mandate of the independent commission on infrastructure,” he noted.
Dizon also confirmed that he would meet with former DPWH secretary and now Sen. Mark Villar to review projects implemented under previous administrations. He said issues linked to past flood control contracts would be raised in the meeting.
