Audit of DPWH projects part of task force’s job — Palace

Infrastructure projects will be audited by the Department of Justice-led task force created by President Rodrigo Duterte to investigate corruption in the government, Malacañang said Friday.

Duterte’s spokesperson Harry Roque, however, did not mention specific projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) that will be covered by the investigation.

“Iyan po ay katungkulan ng expanded task force na binuo ng ating Presidente at antayin na lang po natin ang magiging report nitong expanded task force po na ito,” Roque said at the Laging Handa briefing.

On Thursday night, the President urged DPWH officials involved in corrupt activities to vacate their posts immediately. He also said an audit would be the “best way” to determine if there were ghost projects.

“I think they are plenty,” Duterte said in a televised address from Malacañang.

The DPWH is one the five priority agencies for the task force’s investigation.

The other agencies are the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and the Land Registration Authority. 

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Thursday that the DOJ has enough lawyers and prosecutors to handle "extra tasks" assigned to the agency. — RSJ, GMA News