BACOLOD City Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez urged Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan to take a leave of absence while the agency is under investigation.
This was after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed the agency to submit a list of flood control projects from every region that were completed in the last years.
During his State of the Nation Address (Sona) on July 28, 2025, Marcos announced that someone must be held accountable due the failed flood control projects.
He said he inspected the effects of tropical cyclones Crising, Dante, Emong, and southwest monsoon, and he saw that many flood control projects were sloppy and have collapsed, while others were just imaginary.
Marcos added that they will publish the list and there will be an audit and performance check regarding the projects.
“When there are questions about a company’s finances, you don’t ask the accountant to audit himself. You bring in someone independent to find the truth,” Benitez said on Friday on his social media account.
He said the same principle should apply in government. The implementor should not be the evaluator.
“Out of delicadeza, and to help preserve the integrity of any inquiry, I respectfully urge the DPWH secretary to take a leave of absence while the investigation is ongoing,” he added.
Benitez stressed that this simple act of good faith will go a long way toward restoring public trust and ensuring that the process is impartial and credible. (MAP)