President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has dismissed a high-ranking official from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) over alleged involvement in corruption.
Senator Erwin Tulfo revealed the removal, describing the official as the “richest undersecretary in the world.” However, he chose not to name the person, saying he would leave the official announcement to the President.
Despite the dismissal, Tulfo emphasized that the President continues to have full trust in the DPWH as an institution.
According to the senator, Malacañang is now working to curb political influence in the allocation of public funds—particularly those for flood control projects. From now on, only the DPWH will handle the planning and implementation of such projects, aiming to eliminate irregularities and ensure that initiatives are based on actual needs.
This move comes after reports surfaced that some politicians have allegedly been receiving kickbacks from infrastructure projects, including flood control programs. President Marcos highlighted this issue in his recent State of the Nation Address.
The administration aims to implement a more systematic and transparent process for selecting and funding infrastructure projects, entrusting technical agencies like the DPWH to oversee them. The goal is to minimize political interference and ensure fair and responsible use of taxpayer money.
