Duterte expands corruption probe to include DPWH

President Rodrigo Duterte has expanded the scope of the investigation of the inter-agency task force he created to look into corruption in government.

In a taped address aired on Tuesday, Duterte ordered the task force to investigate the alleged corruption in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

“It behooves upon me to see to it na itong corruption mahinto or at least maputol nang konti,” said Duterte, who formed an inter-agency body in August to probe the corruption allegations in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

“I will order your suspension. I need not go to court," he added. “Huwag ninyo akong lokohin.”

Duterte said he has nothing against DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, whom he praised for his accomplishments as one of the key officials of the government’s infrastructure program.

“But you know accomplishments alone to me should not suffice para na sa akin, hindi na kay Secretary Villar, because it’s not his job to be running after crooks,” the President said.

Villar earlier created an anti-corruption unit that will investigate anomalies allegedly perpetrated by the department’s officials and employees based on “valid complaints.”

Duterte had earlier said those occupying lower ranks in the DPWH are likely to be involved in corruption. —KBK/RSJ, GMA News