ICI condemns tampering of DPWH records tied to flood control probe

Department of Public Works and Highways in Manila, Philippines. (File Photo By Edgar Dann Alcantara, Sheena Thea Alcantara/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Monday denounced reports of “widespread destruction and tampering” of official documents within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), calling it a “direct assault” on government transparency and ongoing investigations into alleged anomalous flood control projects.

In a statement, ICI chair, retired Justice Andres Reyes Jr., said all public works records are government property and must be safeguarded.

“Any attempt to destroy, falsify, or conceal them is a grave offense that carries both administrative and criminal liability,” Reyes said.

The fact-finding body warned that such acts not only obstruct accountability processes but also erode public trust in government institutions.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has created the ICI following revelations in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) of irregularities in flood control contracts.

Its mandate is to conduct a sweeping review of infrastructure projects nationwide, focusing on cost overruns, ghost projects, collusion between contractors and public officials, and anomalous flood control projects in the past 10 years.

The commission urged DPWH officials and employees to preserve the integrity of all records in their custody and to fully cooperate with investigators.

“The ICI remains steadfast in its mandate to uncover the truth behind anomalous flood control projects and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” Reyes said.