ICI condemns widespread destruction of DPWH documents on flood control projects

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Monday condemned reports of widespread destruction and tampering of official documents about anomalous flood control projects by employees of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

ICI chairman retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Andres B. Reyes Jr. said the actions were "a blatant obstruction of ongoing investigations but also a direct assault on the public's right to transparency and accountability."

"The deliberate concealment or alteration of records undermines the rule of law and weakens the people's trust in government institutions tasked to safeguard public resources,” Reyes said in a statement.

He warned that those who attempt to destroy, falsify, or conceal records relating to public works may face administrative and criminal liability.

“The Commission calls upon all DPWH officials and employees to fully cooperate and preserve the integrity of all documents and evidence under their custody,” Reyes said.

According to Joseph Morong’s report on "24 Oras," DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed that an agency personnel tampered with documents, based on ICI special adviser Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong’s report. 

Dizon said he already issued "a formal charge" against a certain Rene Zarate, a DPWH district engineer of Baguio City, with a 90-day preventive suspension order. 

“I have also issued a memo directing all offices in DPWH from the central office, regional office at (and) district offices to preserve and submit to the ICI all the documents related not only to flood control but to all infrastructure projects ng nakraang sampung taon (in the past 10 years),” Dizon said.

He added that non-compliance will result in charges and a suspension order.

The ICI on Monday met with Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Senate blue ribbon chairman Senator Panfilo Lacson in connection with the Senate’s investigation into the country’s flood control projects. –NB, GMA Integrated News