Akbayan Party-list Representative and House Deputy Minority Leader Chel Diokno has intensified his call for accountability in the controversial flood control project investigations, urging all Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials to voluntarily sign bank secrecy waivers.
In a strongly worded Facebook post, Diokno declared: “Lahat ng opisyal ng DPWH, pumirma na kayo ng bank secrecy waiver!” (All DPWH officials, sign the bank secrecy waiver!). The move, he said, is a necessary step to restore public trust amid mounting allegations of “ghost projects” and anomalous contracts.
Strengthening transparency in the flood control probe
Diokno’s appeal builds on his earlier recommendations during the House budget deliberations, where he proposed two key measures to aid the ongoing probe into questionable infrastructure spending:
Bank secrecy waivers – He urged Secretary Vince Dizon to require DPWH employees and officials to voluntarily execute waivers, allowing investigators to scrutinize financial activity and uncover possible corruption.
Securing electronic devices – He suggested a departmental order to confiscate and preserve government-issued computers and devices used by former or dismissed employees, ensuring that potential digital evidence is not lost or tampered with.
Dizon welcomed these proposals, calling them “invaluable” to the department’s effort to cooperate with Congress and cleanse its ranks.
Push for conflict-of-interest disclosures
Earlier in the House inquiry, Diokno also succeeded in passing a motion requiring lawmakers in the investigating committees to disclose any ties to contractors involved in DPWH projects. He further moved to suspend discussions on a ₱7-million “ghost” flood control project in Baliwag until its existence could be thoroughly verified.
