Diokno to Dizon: Seek bank waivers from DPWH personnel amid probe on flood control projects

Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno has called on Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Vince Dizon to ask employees and officials to execute bank secrecy waivers to swiftly weed out bad eggs from the agency.

Diokno made the suggestion after Dizon vowed to rid the agency of corrupt officials in 60 days, starting with his call for all officials to tender courtesy resignation.

“In relation to preserving the evidence, I just have a few suggestions given by my background in the legal profession. Perhaps it would be good to consider asking the employees and officials of DPWH to execute waivers of the bank secrecy law,” Diokno said during the budget deliberations on the agency’s proposed P880 billion budget for 2026.

“Although that's not part of the standard operating procedure. I think there's no legal impediment in requesting them to do that,” Diokno added.

In addition, Diokno urged Dizon to issue a Department Order securing all government-issued electronic devices, computers that may have been used by those who have been dismissed or who have retired or resigned amid the issues linked to flood control projects.

“Walang right to privacy ang mga opisyal na gumamit 'non. And under the law and jurisprudence, you may access that and determine if there are communications there that are incriminating. Magagamit 'yun laban sa kanila,” Diokno said.

(The officers who used it have no right to privacy. And under the law and jurisprudence, you may access that and determine if there are communications there that are incriminating. It can be used against them.)

Further, Diokno said the DPWH can also ask telecommunication companies to preserve records of mobile phones issued by the government to DPWH employees.

“Again, there is no right to privacy on the part of the users for government officials and you may access text messages, cell phone calls, even locations of particular times – if there are issues about who they met with or when they met with them,” Diokno said.

“The Supreme Court has a rule on issuance of cyber warrants that would apply to all offenses including, I understand, corruption offenses that are done through the use of any kind of electronic or computer device. So, if you come up with information or evidence looking in that direction, perhaps it may be something to consider to secure warrants to intercept electronic data or to obtain data already found in cellphones and other electronic devices,” Diokno added.

In response, Dizon said that the DPWH will be touching base with other relevant government agencies to ensure that the evidence will remain intact and that Diokno’s suggestions are very welcome.

“We are already in touch with the Commission on Audit , and we will also be coordinating with the Philippine National Police Cybercrime unit to ask them to assist us on this,” Dizon said.

“The things you said are very, very important. Thank you, Sir, for these invaluable suggestions,” Dizon added. — BAP, GMA Integrated News