The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has admitted it cannot stop construction firms tied to lawmakers or government officials from joining public project bids unless Congress passes a law explicitly prohibiting it.
DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan explained that the agency has no mandate to vet the personalities behind bidding companies, even if potential conflicts of interest exist. “It’s not part of the criteria to look into the personalities who probably co-own or are affiliated to these companies,” he said in an ANC interview on Wednesday.
All participating contractors, Bonoan noted, hold valid licenses from the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) under Republic Act No. 4566. “Once they have that PCAB license, and as long as they have complete documentation and pre-qualification documents, then they can participate in the bidding process,” he said.
Bonoan’s remarks follow revelations that some contractors linked to current or former legislators may have benefited from a significant share of the administration’s flood control projects. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier disclosed that P100 billion—nearly 20 percent of the P545-billion budget for such works from July 2022 to May 2025—went to just 15 out of 2,409 contractors, five of which were reportedly tied to politicians.
Among those named were firms co-founded by Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co and his brother, as well as companies linked to the Discaya family and one tied to Sorsogon Gov. Francis Escudero through a campaign contribution.
While distancing the DPWH from the probe itself, Bonoan said the agency is now verifying the status of the projects identified by the President. Field teams are conducting on-site inspections to compile a status report for Malacañang.
The review of nearly 10,000 flood control projects from the past three years will be led by Regional Project Monitoring Committees, which include representatives from multiple government agencies, the private sector, and NGOs. Findings will be consolidated and submitted to the President for action.
