REY BANIQUET/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
President Rodrigo Duterte may order the formation of a task force to probe the alleged corruption within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Malacañang said on Wednesday.
“It’s not inconceivable that another task force of the DPWH may be formed by the President, in the same way that he formed one for the PhilHealth,” Palace spokesman Harry Roque told CNN Philippines’ The Source.
Public Works Secretary Mark Villar on Tuesday formed an intra-agency task force against graft and corruption.
It is chaired by Public Works Asst. Secretary Mel John Verzosa, with Gliricidia Tumaliuan-Ali as the vice chairperson and Michael Villafranca, Andro Santiago and Ken Edward Sta. Rita as members.
Roque said he would prefer an independent body to conduct the probe.
“I think that is a good beginning, but as you observe, many people doubt, if it can succeed, because it’s the same people investigating one another, so we would prefer an independent body,” he said.
The Commission on Audit recently flagged the DPWH for overpricing and delayed implementation of its 2019 projects.
Duterte last Monday said DPWH’s officials on the ground have caused the anomalies, specifically those in charge of right-of-way deals and project engineers. John Ezekiel J. Hirro