RESPONDING to growing concerns about corruption in infrastructure projects, the Office of the Ombudsman has formed a special panel of prosecutors to investigate anomalous government flood control projects, both local and national.
The Ombudsman’s office stated that this action is in accordance with its mandate to investigate any act or omission of public officials or employees that appears to be illegal, unjust, improper, or inefficient.
The Special Panel of Investigators will be led by Assistant Ombudsman Caesar Asuncion and co-chaired by Assistant Ombudsman Maria Olivia Elena Roxas.
The move comes after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. launched a crackdown on substandard or “ghost” flood control projects last month.
The President has flagged the top 15 contractors who received 20% of the total P545 billion budget for flood control projects.
In his State of the Nation Address, Marcos warned government personnel who steal public funds, including those allocated for flood control, that they will be dealt with according to the law. The Senate blue ribbon committee resumed its investigation into flood control projects on Monday, and the House Infrastructure Committee is also scheduled to conduct a hearing on the matter on Tuesday.
metrosundaily
