ICI sets field validation of 421 ghost flood control projects

MANILA, Philippines — The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is all set for its field validation of 421 flood control projects found to be nonexistent by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev).

ICI executive director Brian Keith Hosaka said the commission held a technical and coordination meeting with engineers from the PNP in connection with the field validation.

“So we wanted to coordinate with them to discuss with them on the procedure and how we will go about this,” Hosaka said in a press briefing at the ICI offices in Taguig yesterday.

Hosaka said that the discussions, which also included Michael Reyes of the Council of Engineering Consultants of the Philippines, covered technologies that could be used for the field validation.

“We wanted to also ask him with regard on his expertise on how we can go about the validation of these 421 ghost projects,” Hosaka said.

Earlier this month, DPWH chief Vince Dizon turned over the list of 421 ghost flood control projects out of the 8,000 it investigated with the PNP, the AFP and DEPDev.

These ghost projects were found across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, with a considerable concentration in Luzon.

Dizon stressed that these are only initial figures, as there are around 100,000 projects that still need to be validated.

However, since these are ghost projects, Dizon said it would be easier to establish liability and culpability in each case. Filing cases will also be faster, he said.

At the same time, former DPWH undersecretary for regional operations Roberto Bernardo again begged off from appearing before the ICI today (Wednesday) due to “continued illness.”

“He will not be coming because he informed us that he’s still sick,” Hosaka said, noting that Bernardo did not inform them of the nature of his illness.

“But we will provide you (that information). We already asked for a medical certificate,” he added.

‘No duplication of DOJ, ICI probes’

The Department of Justice (DOJ) gave assurance yesterday that there is no duplication between its ongoing flood control investigations and those being conducted by the ICI.

During the agency’s budget hearing before the Senate, finance committee chair Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian raised concerns that both the DOJ and ICI perform fact-finding and case-building functions, warning that parallel probes could lead to overlapping cases.

Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon said coordination is in place to prevent that.

“There would be no duplication, sir, because during investigations conducted by the DOJ with the assistance of the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), representatives from the ICI are also present,” he said.

He added that the DOJ regularly furnishes ICI with investigation results and copies of case filings to ensure both bodies are updated and avoid working on the same cases.

Fadullon explained that the DOJ, through the NBI, can independently recommend cases for preliminary investigation based on gathered evidence, while the ICI conducts separate fact-finding that may also be endorsed to the ombudsman or DOJ.

Gatchalian said the Senate is closely watching for potential overlap between the two investigative bodies.

“We’re very mindful that there should be no duplication or conflict. There’s always that danger of looking at the same personalities through different lenses,” he said.

Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres said the DOJ’s ongoing probe is already yielding results, with whistleblowers turning over their cellphones for forensic analysis.

However, he stressed difficulties with limited access to key witnesses cited in contempt by the Senate.

Andres acknowledged the Senate’s cooperation in allowing access to witnesses but noted that they remain unable to retrieve crucial documents.

“They have limited opportunities to go to the NBI and DOJ. They are claiming that they need to get documents from their homes to strengthen their position, but we cannot do that,” he said.

Currently, the Senate has detained top contractor Curlee Discaya and sacked DPWH engineers Henry Alcantara, Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said these individuals may stay in detention until the 20th Congress adjourns in 2028 or when a court orders their arrest or release, whichever comes first.

First Lady involved?

A private citizen turned up at the ICI yesterday to submit a “letter of sentiment,” asking the body to investigate First Lady Liza Marcos’ ties to former special envoy to China for trade Maynard Ngu – the alleged bagman of Sen. Francis Escudero.

John Santander, wearing a face mask, spoke to reporters at the ICI yesterday due to “deep concern” that there is no move from the commission to probe Ngu despite revelation from ex-DPWH officials two months ago.

Santander, who identifies as a cultural and peace advocate, based his claim of alleged links between the First Lady and Ngu on photos where the presidential spouse was in the same frame with Ngu in apparent social gatherings or events.

“It’s up to the commission to decide on that, if there’s any reliable and competent basis for the commission to invite any personality that, as I said before, would lead to finding the truth,” Hosaka said. “But of course we have to validate this.”

The ICI, he said, will be careful not to be used for any political agenda or leverage.

“We do not want that to happen because that might also derail or mislead the commission (from its goal),” Hosaka stressed.

Congressmen want due process from ICI

At the very least, the ICI must afford lawmakers who will be implicated in the flood control mess due process, administration congressmen urged yesterday, voicing support for the Makati Business Club (MBC)’s call for fairness in the investigation.

“We welcome (MBC executive director Rafael) Ongpin’s statement as a reminder that justice must never be selective. The process must be based on facts, not political color or pressure,” House Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V said.

He emphasized that former speaker Martin Romualdez had already demonstrated integrity by stepping down from the House leadership last month to ensure “full accountability and transparency” amid the ongoing investigation conducted by the ICI.

Public accounts panel chair and Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon also backed MBC and Ongpin, calling the statement a “timely reminder that the rule of law – not rumor – must prevail.

“Let the institutions work independently and let the truth come out through evidence,” he said.

On the contrary, Davao 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte, himself linked to the flood control mess, slammed the MBC for criticizing the Office of the Vice President’s misuse of intelligence funds.

“You talk as if confidential and intelligence funds are some kind of secret stash. You clearly don’t know the nitty-gritty of how it works,” he said in defense of his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte.

Reports on subpar health centers to be kept confidential

In a related development, the Department of Health (DOH) yesterday assured concerned citizens that their reports on non-operational super health centers shall remain confidential.

To file a report, the department said the public should download the reporting form via www.doh.gov.ph/bantaysuperhealth and to submit it with all required details via email at [email protected].

The DOH on Monday formally launched the “Oplan Bantay Super Health Center” and called on citizens to play an active role in the probe of non-operational health centers. — Neil Jayson Servallos, Delon Porcalla, Rhodina Villanueva, Jose Rodel Clapano