PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced on Monday that he will issue an Executive Order formally creating an Independent Commission to investigate anomalies not only in flood control projects but also in all the workings within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Marcos told reporters that the commission will serve as the investigative arm, tasked with examining received information and making recommendations on how to proceed.
This includes recommending whether to file charges, refer cases to the Ombudsman, or forward them to the Department of Justice (DOJ). The commission will then advise the Executive branch on what actions to take against parties found to be involved in corruption.
While the structure of the commission, including the number of members and its leadership, is still being determined, Marcos indicated that it would require forensic investigators, lawyers, justices, and prosecutors to thoroughly examine the evidence related to the anomalous projects.
The Presidential Communications Office previously stated that the body would conduct a comprehensive review of projects, identify irregularities, and recommend accountability measures. Marcos has also tasked newly designated DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon with conducting a “full organizational sweep” of the agency.
