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THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will look into discrepancies in farm-to-market road initiatives fl<\/span>agged by the Agriculture department, expanding the Marcos administration\u2019s anti-corruption campaign.<\/p>\n Public Works Secretary Vivencio \u201cVince\u201d B. Dizon has mandated vigilant oversight of the allegations, Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro informed a news outlet on Tuesday, emphasizing that irregularities in public works must be resolved promptly.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAll cases of this nature involving irregularities \u2014 not solely in fl<\/span>ood mitigation projects but in all infrastructure \u2014 will be subject to close scrutiny,\u201d she stated in Filipino.<\/p>\n Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. previously disclosed \u201cphantom\u201d farm-to-market road initiatives in Davao Occidental and Zamboanga del Norte, some of which either do not exist or are still incomplete despite receiving funding.<\/span><\/p>\n Two of the dubious projects trace back to 2021 and 2022, he mentioned, adding that these findings will be relayed to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.<\/p>\n The revelations emerged as senators investigate inflated and substandard flood control projects. During the hearings, contractors Cezarah Rowena \u201cSarah\u201d C. Discaya and her spouse Pacifico F. Discaya confessed to bribing lawmakers and officials to secure government contracts.<\/p>\n Prominent politicians have been implicated in the scandal, including Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, resigned Party-list Rep. Elizaldy S. Co, Senators Francis G. Escudero, Jose \u201cJinggoy\u201d Estrada, and Joel J. Villanueva, as well as former Senators Nancy S. Binay and Ramon \u201cBong\u201d B. Revilla, Jr.<\/span><\/p>\n The controversies have intensified scrutiny over infrastructure expenditures, igniting calls for enhanced transparency and stricter oversight as the government strives to restore trust in public works.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Senator Francis Pancratius \u201cKiko\u201d N. Pangilinan urged the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to revisit its choice not to livestream proceedings in its investigation of the multibillion-peso flood control scandal, cautioning that such a decision could erode public confidence.<\/p>\n \u201cTransparency is essential for public accountability,\u201d he stated in a press release. \u201cWith all due respect, the ICI\u2019s choice to bar the public from observing its proceedings online is ill-informed.\u201d<\/p>\n ICI Executive Director Brian Keith Hosaka earlier stated that the commission would keep its sessions closed to prevent \u201ctrial by publicity\u201d and to ensure they are not used for political advantage.<\/p>\n He indicated that the ICI\u2019s function is to gather facts, with cases to be handed over to entities such as the Office of the Ombudsman.<\/span><\/p>\n Political analysts have warned that Mr. Marcos\u2019s anti-corruption initiative could be dismissed as mere political posturing unless it results in prosecutions and convictions. Business organizations have also called for stronger accountability measures.<\/p>\n \u201cThe final nail in the coffin of public accountability lies in the intolerable delays in resolving corruption cases and the dismal conviction rates,\u201d Mr. Pangilinan asserted.<\/p>\n He further emphasized that true accountability lies with the Judiciary, advocating for expedited trials, harsher penalties, and an end to impunity.<\/p>\n The scandal revolves around discrepancies in flood control projects, where approximately P500 billion has been allocated since 2022.<\/p>\n Mr. Marcos has since established the ICI, granting it the authority to recommend criminal, civil, and administrative actions in both flood-related and other infrastructure projects.<\/p>\n Critics caution that the controversy jeopardizes disaster-preparedness funding in a nation afflicted by an average of 20 typhoons annually and widely regarded as the globe\u2019s most disaster-prone territory.<\/span><\/p>\n Also on Tuesday, House Deputy Minority Leader and Party-list Rep. Antonio L. Tinio mentioned that the President has sanctioned around 3,700 public works projects valued at P214 billion in regions identified as hotspots for dubious infrastructure contracts.<\/p>\n During plenary discussions on the 2026 budget, the congressman stated that Mr. Marcos had approved funding for the projects through unprogrammed appropriations, alleging that the President shares culpability in the pervasive infrastructure corruption predicament.<\/p>\n \u201cThe one who authorized all the projects under unprogrammed appropriations was the President himself,\u201d he asserted in the assembly.<\/p>\n Ms. Castro did not immediately respond to a Viber message seeking input.<\/p>\n