DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon orders the suspension of Baguio City District Engineer Rene Zarate for allegedly refusing to cooperate in the government’s probe of flood-control projects. Dizon is shown speaking to reporters during an inspection of infrastructure works. (PNA photo)
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure condemns tampering of DPWH records in the flood control probe as a Baguio engineer is suspended and 592 bank accounts are frozen.
MANILA — A newly created government watchdog has sounded the alarm over what it called the “widespread destruction and tampering” of public works records tied to controversial flood control projects, a move it says strikes at the heart of transparency and accountability.
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), led by retired Supreme Court justice Andres Reyes Jr., declared that attempts to hide or alter official documents amount to a “blatant obstruction” of the country’s biggest corruption probe in years. “The deliberate concealment or alteration of records undermines the rule of law and is a direct assault on the public’s right to transparency and accountability,” Reyes warned.
Suspension in Baguio
The controversy escalated Monday, September 22, when DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed the preventive suspension of Rene Zarate, district engineer of Baguio City, following allegations that files in his office were tampered with or destroyed.
The move, triggered by a report from Mayor Benjamin Magalong, puts a spotlight on how deep the alleged cover-up may run. Dizon ordered all DPWH district offices nationwide to preserve and turn over infrastructure records, stressing that no document is beyond scrutiny.
Commission mandate
Formed just two weeks ago under Executive Order 94, the ICI was tasked with digging into billions of pesos worth of flood control contracts now under suspicion. It wields sweeping powers: subpoenaing witnesses, collecting evidence, and working closely with the DOJ and NBI.
Reyes is joined by former DPWH chief Rogelio Singson and SGV country managing partner Rossana Fajardo, with Magalong tapped as special adviser.
Expanding investigation
The scandal has already spilled into the financial system. On Sept. 19, the Anti-Money Laundering Council announced that the Court of Appeals had frozen 592 bank accounts, along with properties and vehicles, linked to the alleged scheme.
Lawmakers have flagged contracts for suspected overpricing, ghost projects, and shoddy construction, with Senate and House hearings intensifying as evidence mounts.
Pending disclosures
Despite the high-profile suspension and freezing orders, big questions remain unanswered: How extensive is the tampering across DPWH offices? Who ordered it? And have vital pieces of evidence already been lost? The ICI insists it will press on and recommend charges wherever the trail of evidence leads.
