MANILA, Philippines – A Senate inquiry in the Philippines has begun to reveal allegations of widespread corruption within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), with testimony implicating legislators and officials in a bribery scheme linked to flood mitigation projects. The inquiry was prompted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent order to investigate anomalies in infrastructure spending after discovering substandard work and, in some cases, nonexistent projects.
Construction company representatives testified Monday, with most denying direct involvement in bribery. Though, Pacifico Discaya and his wife, Teresita, owners of a construction firm, appeared before the Senate and initially expressed fear for their safety before agreeing to provide further details in a closed-door hearing.They allege that bribes were paid to secure government contracts, with claims that House Speaker Martin Romualdez allegedly benefited.
Romualdez vehemently denied the allegations, stating, ”If anyone invoked my name, they did so without my knowledge and without my consent,” and vowed to defend his integrity and the institution of Congress.
The inquiry follows President Marcos Jr.’s proclamation last week of an self-reliant commission to investigate corruption in flood control projects and pursue criminal charges. He described the situation as “horrible” and launched a public reporting website that has since received thousands of complaints.
The Philippines has allocated an estimated 545 billion Philippine pesos ($9.6 billion) to flood mitigation projects over the past three years.The country is regularly battered by approximately 20 typhoons and storms annually, with recent back-to-back typhoons in July causing widespread flooding, displacing over 300,000 people, and resulting in at least 26 deaths, primarily among vulnerable populations.