Amid mounting public outrage over allegations of massive corruption in flood control projects, Representative Leila De Lima on Tuesday called for the creation of an independent commission to thoroughly investigate the misuse of billions in infrastructure funds.
The move comes after shocking testimonies from contractors Pacifico and Sarah Discaya, who revealed that up to 17 lawmakers and high-ranking DPWH officials allegedly demanded kickbacks of up to 25% from project budgets in exchange for facilitating contract approvals. The Discayas claimed to have documentation of these transactions but withheld them due to security concerns.
De Lima, joined by several fellow lawmakers, filed a bill to establish a non-partisan investigative body that would function independently of Congress. She raised concerns about the integrity of current legislative probes, given that some of the individuals leading these investigations were themselves named in the Discayas’ explosive testimony.
“The credibility of any probe led by those implicated is inherently compromised,” De Lima said. “We need a body that is beyond political influence, one that can uncover the truth and hold the guilty accountable.”
The call for an independent probe is backed by numerous civil society groups, business leaders, and religious figures who fear that the congressional inquiries could be reduced to political theater rather than genuine accountability.
Since 2022, ₱545 billion has been poured into flood control initiatives. Yet only a fraction has translated into tangible results. Preliminary audits by the Commission on Audit (COA) revealed irregularities such as ghost projects, substandard work, and questionable budget allocations—particularly in regions like Bulacan, which received nearly 45% of Central Luzon’s share.
The resignation of the Public Works Secretary and the appointment of Vince Dizon as the new DPWH chief further underscore the gravity of the situation. Dizon has since suspended all flood control bids and ordered courtesy resignations from top officials pending internal review.
