Business groups seek probe into 'excessive corruption' in gov’t projects
MANILA, Philippines — More than 30 of the Philippines' most influential business and civic organizations are calling for an independent investigation into what they describe as "excessive corruption" in government infrastructure projects.
In a statement dated September 4, the groups expressed "outrage, disgust and disappointment" with legislators in “both houses of Congress and officials in the Executive Department,” specifically mentioning the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), local government units, and the Commission on Audit.
“While we take note of the President admonishing the corrupt in government, we are concerned that the guilty among these officials will continue their merry way of robbing the people and filling their pockets, completely oblivious to the fact that they are betraying the public trust, committing a treasonous act against our people, and simply being unpatriotic and sinful,” the group’s statement read.
The groups also called for a thorough investigation by an independent body to ensure the prosecution of corrupt officials, their imprisonment, and the recovery of stolen funds.
“It is thus important that thorough investigations be conducted by an independent body with the aim of prosecuting these corrupt officials, putting them in jail and recovering the stolen funds. Justice for the Filipino people, specially the poor, can only be achieved by successfully punishing the corrupt,” the groups said.
The business groups that called for the probe are the following:
- Alyansa ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan (ANIM)
- Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP)
- Cebu Business Club (CBC)
- Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI)
- Cebu Leads Foundation (CLF)
- Connected Women
- Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP)
- Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI)
- Filipina CEO Circle (FCC)
- Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX)
- FinTech Alliance Philippines
- Green EDSA Movement (GEM)
- Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA)
- Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD)
- Management Association of the Philippines (MAP)
- Nextgen Organization of Women Corporate Directors (NOWCD)
- People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP)
- Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)
- Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (PHILEXPORT)
- Philippine Women's Economic Network (PHILWEN)
The business groups issued the statement amid the government’s probe into anomalous flood control projects, which allegedly involved construction firms and officials of the DPWH.
The investigation of the alleged anomalous flood control projects covers allegations of corruption, overpriced contracts, substandard work and ghost projects.
On Thursday, the Department of Justice issued Immigration Lookout Bulletin Orders (ILBO) on 43 officials of the DPWH and government contractors.
Among those included were Sarah and Pacifico Discaya, who secured P2.28 billion worth of projects.
- Latest
- Trending
