00:00A two-week nationwide moratorium has been placed on all DPWH bidding events pending the resolution of all cases of irregularities and settlement of outstanding matters in the department.
00:12Our Bernard Ferrer hashes over the details of this latest directive by the newly installed DPWH czar in this report.
00:20The Department of Public Works and Highways or DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon is set to order the temporary suspension of the bidding process for all locally funded projects across the country.
00:34This move is part of the department's ongoing internal cleansing efforts following reports of the alleged irregularities and anomalies in the implementation of several projects.
00:44Kailangan muna namin i-review at aralin based on the President's directive to clean house.
00:56Okay, so the President does not want any more money of the government, of the DPWH, thrown sa ilo, sa piyama.
01:09The suspension is expected to last for two weeks to allow the agency to establish necessary safeguards.
01:16However, the implementation of foreign-funded projects will continue as scheduled.
01:21Former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan revealed that 15 out of 1,600 validated flood control projects nationwide had been found to be non-existent or cannot be located.
01:32Still, Bonoan clarified that this cannot yet be considered ghost projects as further investigation is needed.
01:40All related documents will reportedly be submitted to Secretary Dizon for further investigation.
01:46Meanwhile, Secretary Dizon has requested Department of Justice or DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Rimulia to include certain DPWH officials and government contractors in the lookout bulletin.
01:58Among the individuals named were Sara Descaya and Pacífico Descaya, President and Authorized Managing Officer of Alpha and Omega General Contractor and Development Corporation.
02:08The President is serious. I am serious about this. So, you need to do one.
02:18And you will find out in the next few days and weeks just how serious the President is.
02:25Pasig City Mayor Vico Soto expressed his willingness to testify before the Senate investigation should he be invited.
02:32According to Mayor Soto, the local government unit is cooperating with lawmakers and is also conducting its own parallel investigation.
02:39Ang importante dito, managot ang kailangan managot. Whether they're government officials, contractors, suppliers, politicians, or career officials, importante may managot.
02:57Hindi pwedeng pagkatapos ng ilang buwan, tatahimik na lang ang issue, tapos magkakalimutan na tayo.
03:04However, he declined to comment on the Bureau of Customs seizure of vehicles allegedly linked to the Descaya family.
03:10Mayor Soto expressed hope that the alleged corruption system surrounding government infrastructure projects would finally come to an end.
03:18Bernard Ferrer from the National TV Network for New and Better Philippines.
