Duterte orders investigation into alleged corruption at DPWH

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday ordered a task force to investigate alleged corruption in the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Duterte had initially formed the task force to investigate wrongdoing at state medical insurer PhilHealth.

“Your task force that I formed … this time, we will look at each department,” he said in a televised speech on Tuesday.

“I have nothing against DPWH Sec. Villar. He is one of the workers [officials], in maraming achievements. But you know, achievements alone, for me, shouldn’t be enough, “he added.

He also recognized that it is not Villar’s job to “go after criminals.”

The commissioner of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), Greco Belgica, previously said that the agency will not name lawmakers under investigation for alleged involvement in corruption at DPWH, and said this would “compromise” the investigation.

This, when the Anakalusugan Party roster representative, Mike Defender, challenged him to disclose those involved after he previously discovered that some legislators were in cahoots with DPWH staff in alleged corrupt practices.

More details below.