ICI slams 'widespread' destruction of DPWH documents

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has denounced “widespread destruction and tampering” of official documents related to its investigation on anomalous flood control projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

- RAINIER ALLAN RONDA and EJ MACABABBAD

“Such acts constitute not only a blatant obstruction of ongoing investigations but also a direct assault on the public’s right to transparency and accountability,” ICI chairman and retired associate justice Andres Reyes Jr. said yesterday in a statement.

“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,” he added. Reyes did not provide details.

The retired justice emphasized that DPWH records are public property that cannot be destroyed, falsified or concealed. Such acts, he said, carry both administrative and criminal liabilities.

“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.

“The ICI remains steadfast in its mandate to uncover the truth behind anomalous flood control projects and ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” the commission said.

Yesterday, the ICI invited Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson to shed light on the congressional budget process, where alleged insertions were made to fund flood mitigation projects.

“The original sin is Congress,” Lacson, who also serves as Senate Blue Ribbon committee chairman, told reporters. “District engineering offices won't play with anything without budget insertions.”

He stressed the importance of more careful fund allocation for infrastructure projects to prevent further corruption.

“We should exercise self-restraint,” Lacson said, apparently addressing fellow lawmakers. “We should not insert funds for local infrastructure projects that are at the district level, which could provide resources for corruption.”