Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon on Friday called on four newly minted state witnesses to “reveal the masterminds” behind a multi-billion peso flood control controversy.
Speaking at a press conference, Dizon emphasized that the testimony of these insiders is critical to identifying the primary orchestrators of the alleged anomalies.
His statement follows confirmation from Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has accepted four key individuals into the Witness Protection Program.
The state witnesses include former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, District Engineer Henry Alcantara, Regional Director Gerard Opulencia, and private contractor Sally Santos.
The group is expected to provide testimony regarding irregularities in the allocation and execution of flood control projects, which have recently come under intense government scrutiny.
“The important thing is for them to tell the whole truth,” Dizon said, noting that their cooperation is a vital step in the government’s effort to hold high-ranking officials and their collaborators accountable for the “mess.”
The investigation into the flood control projects was sparked by reports of massive budget allocations for areas with minimal flooding risks, alongside allegations of kickbacks and rigged bidding processes.
The DOJ is currently preparing to conduct preliminary investigations based on complaints filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
