Marcos on independent commission for flood control probe: Structure out soon

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. is still silent about the composition of the independent commission that will look into anomalies of flood control projects, saying that its composition is still being finalized. 

Marcos was asked on Tuesday if Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong is indeed part of the independent commission which will investigate the faulty and substandard flood control projects in the country. 

He responded that the structure of this independent body would be finalized and disclosed ''very very soon.''

''I don't want to talk about it until buo na (it's completed). 'Di pa namin nabubuo 'yung plano eh.. Pero malapit na 'yan, very very soon (we haven't completed yet the plan but we're getting there, very very soon)," Marcos told reporters. 

On Monday, Marcos said that he would issue an executive order which will formally create the independent commission. 

He added that the body would need forensic investigators, lawyers, justices, and prosecutors who will look at the pieces of evidence regarding anomalous flood control projects. 

The Presidential Communications Office earlier said the body would conduct a comprehensive review of projects, identify irregularities, and recommend accountability measures to ensure public trust in infrastructure spending. 

Marcos tasked Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon to conduct a "full organizational sweep" of the agency and ensure that public funds are used solely for infrastructure projects in the country. 

Dizon then asked for the courtesy resignation of all officials of the agency from the highest ranks down to district engineers, as part of a sweeping reform directive from the President. 

Prerogative of the President

When asked for recommendations on who should head the body, Dizon said it will be the prerogative of the President. 

''I'd rather not say, wala po sa posisyon ko 'yan (it's not in my position). 'Yan po ay sole prerogative ng ating Pangulo at dapat po pagtiwalaan natin at respetuhin po natin ang desisyon ng ating Pangulo (That's the sole prerogative of our President and we should trust and respect the decision of our President),'' Dizon said in a separate interview. 

At present, Dizon said he is not yet privy to its composition. However, he welcomed if Magalong would indeed be part of the independent commission. 

''Personally napakawelcome na development po niyan kung totoo kasi po you know, at the forefront si Mayor Magalong, nito, hindi lamang ngayon... matagal na,'' Dizon said. 

(Personally this is a welcome development because Mayor Magalong has always been at the forefront, not just now, but for a long time.) 

Dizon also has no information if former Philippine National Police chief Police General Nicolas Torre III would join the body.  —KG/RSJ, GMA Integrated News