ICI Calls Out "Widespread Destruction of Documents” in DPWH Flood Control Projects

(SPOT.ph) As if ghost projects weren’t bad enough, now there are reports that even the receipts might be gone, too. The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) sounded the alarm over what it called “widespread destruction and tampering” of official records on controversial flood control projects at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

ICI Chair Justice Andres Reyes Jr., a former Supreme Court associate justice, stated that every DPWH document tied to public works counts as public property—and tampering with them is not a clerical slip but a “grave offense” that carries both administrative and criminal liability.

“Such acts constitute not only a blatant obstruction of ongoing investigations but also a direct assault on the public’s right to transparency and accountability,” the ICI said in a statement.

DPWH Chief Vince Dizon said the suspected tampering was traced to the Baguio City District Engineering Office, based on a report from Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, the special adviser to the ICI. Dizon has since filed a complaint and ordered the suspension of District Engineer Rene Zarate, noting the office’s earlier refusal to cooperate with investigators.

With that, the ICI is demanding full cooperation from DPWH officials and employees and urging them to protect the integrity of all evidence under their custody.

Also read: QC Finds 329 Out of 331 Flood Control Projects Had No City Approval

This development comes against a backdrop of mounting scrutiny of DPWH flood control projects. Over the past months, multiple allegations have surfaced: that contracts have been awarded to a small number of firms and that some projects have been built poorly—or not at all.

On September 11, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has responded by forming the ICI through Executive Order No. 94 to investigate flood control project anomalies and broader infrastructure irregularities since 2015.

It is an ad hoc fact-finding commission, which means it is meant to be independent. The members are former justices, engineers, auditors—people with technical or legal backgrounds rather than purely political ones. Aside from Reyes and Magalong, other key members include Rogelio Singson (former DPWH secretary) and Rossana Fajardo (audit/fraud-examiner background).

Simultaneously, the Senate and the House have both launched inquiries. So far, the congressional inquiries have unearthed explosive claims: the Discayas told the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that at least 17 lawmakers and several DPWH officials demanded 25% kickbacks in exchange for contracts. In Bulacan, Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva were accused of pocketing 30% of multi-million-peso projects—allegations they have denied.

The ICI promised to hold those responsible to account.

Also read: There Will Be Zero Funds for Flood Control in 2026 Budget, According to Marcos