Marcos to Launch Independent Commission Amid Sweeping DPWH Cleanup

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has announced plans to issue an executive order establishing an independent commission designed to investigate allegations of corruption and irregularities within the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), particularly those affecting flood control and broader infrastructure projects. This move underscores the administration’s determination to restore integrity and public trust in government infrastructure spending.

President Marcos revealed that the yet-to-be-finalized commission will serve as a full-fledged investigative arm, reviewing complaints and evidence submitted through official channels. Its mandate will include recommending whether to pursue legal proceedings with the Ombudsman or Department of Justice. The structure anticipated to include five to seven members, such as forensic experts, lawyers, justices, and prosecutors is currently being ironed out.

Concurrently, newly appointed DPWH Secretary Vivencio “Vince” B. Dizon has been instructed to conduct a sweeping internal reorganization. Secretary Dizon has ordered that courtesy resignations be submitted by all DPWH officials from undersecretaries down to district engineers as part of a “clean sweep” to signal accountability and pave the way for reforms.

During a press briefing, Dizon emphasized that courtesy resignations do not immediately remove officials; they remain in their roles until accepted. This assures that operations continue uninterrupted, with a completion timeline for the reorganization set between 30 to 60 days.

In parallel, the Commission on Audit (COA) has launched a high-priority performance audit of the government’s Flood Risk Management and Resiliency Program (FRMRP), further heightening oversight over flood control spending.

This coordinated effort from executive measures to institutional audits and leadership turnover marks one of the most assertive government responses to allegations of infrastructure spending irregularities in recent years.