Villar on corruption allegations vs. DPWH: Definitely, merong mga case sa loob

Amid corruption allegations against the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), its Secretary Mark Villar admitted that there are indeed cases of irregularity within the agency.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita on Thursday, Villar said that some employees of the department linked to anomalies have been placed on floating status.

“In many cases, marami na kaming na-float,” he said when asked if there are members of the department who were fired due to complaints.

“In fact, dahil sa ginawa naming reforms, about 30 contractors na ang na-blacklist. Ito po ay malalaking contractors. Ito ‘yung pinakamarami in any administration,” he added.

Senator Panfilo Lacson earlier said corruption is an "open secret" in the implementation of public works projects, "involving not only some corrupt officials of the department but some legislators as well."

Contractors have already given nicknames to corrupt officials depending on how much kickbacks they demand, according to the senator.

"Officials from the executive and legislative branches who ask for 'only' 10 percent are 'mabait, maginoong kausap' and those who demand 20 to 30 percent are 'matakaw,'" Lacson said.

"While those who demand advance payments and renege on their word as 'balasubas' and 'mandurugas’,” he added.

Asked about if he already encountered these characters in the department, Villar said: “'Di ko naman sinasabi na 100%—definitely merong mga cases sa loob ng DPWH.”

Villar said they received complaints on irregularities inside the department. Due to this, he said the DPWH made institutional reforms and monitoring systems to address the issues.

Recently, a Commission on Audit report showed that DPWH has P100 billion worth of delayed and unimplemented projects in violation of Procurement law and agreed contracts.

In its 2019 annual audit report on DPWH, state audits said that these delayed and unimplemented projects reached P101 billion in 2019, lower than 2018 figure of P118 billion.

DPWH attributed the delayed implementation of projects to the delayed release of capital outlay allotments, which only started in June 2019 due to delayed approval of 2019 national budget law.

On Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte said those occupying lower ranks in DPWH are likely to be involved in corruption.

He also vouched for Villar’s integrity, saying he does not need to steal public funds because he is already rich. — RSJ, GMA News