The House of Representatives needs to reassert its relevance by coming up with measures that would put a stop to the widespread corruption in the Department of Public Works and Highways, Bacolod lone district Rep. Albee Benitez said.
“The people are waiting to see if our chamber can reassert its relevance and act not out of self-interest but for the people’s benefit. I sincerely hope that we can still find practicable solutions to address systemic corruption in our government,” said Benitez.
Benitez said that with the formation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to investigate corruption in the DPWH, it is now up to Congress to create laws.
This, as the Senate hearing on anomalous flood control projects in the country revealed more names of both representatives and senators who are allegedly involved in the scandal.
The lawmaker said that with the formation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to investigate corruption in the DPWH, it is now up to Congress to create laws “armed with teeth sharp and long enough to bite through the thick skins of those among us who are involved in this shameful conspiracy.”
Benitez added that the fact that more legislators are being tagged for involvement underlines why it is necessary for the ICI immediately act and expedite its ongoing investigation.
“That more and more lawmakers and powerful personalities, including former Speaker Martin Romualdez, are being accused not so much of dipping their hand in the people’s money, but taking truckloads of it, only emphasizes why it is necessary that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure take immediate action and expedite its ongoing investigation,” he said.
The solon also said that time has come to deliberate on the DPWH’s fate.
He questioned whether top-to-bottom reforms would be enough to stop systemic corruption in the agency, or if it had come to the point where its continued existence “has become untenable and we must dismantle and replace it altogether.”
