SCUTTLEBUTT

Demolition job against good guy

Malacañang is seriously considering transferring a top-performing Cabinet secretary — known for an unassailable track record and transformative leadership — to head the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) which is embroiled in corruption scandals.

Insiders say the secretary’s proven ability to clean up his current department makes him the ideal candidate to fix the graft-ridden DPWH, especially amid mounting exposés on questionable flood control projects worth billions.

However, a well-placed source told DAILY TRIBUNE that a demolition job is underway behind the scenes to block the transfer.

A certain markadong undersecretary, backed by a powerful faction that counts among its members a well-known social meddler, is reportedly working hard to prevent the reformist secretary from taking over for fear his appointment would expose and dismantle entrenched syndicates benefiting a select few.

The Tribune’s source says this social meddler even had the audacity to call the Palace to try and besmirch the reputation of the candidate under consideration for the DPWH post.

The DPWH has been under intense scrutiny following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s revelation that 15 contractors were linked to suspicious flood control deals.

Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito confirmed the involvement of some DPWH officials, pointing to “ghost projects.”

“There is collusion between the (DPWH) district offices and the contractors. It’s fine for contractors to earn money, but making ghost projects — that’s just shameless,” Ejercito said during a Senate forum.

Though no formal announcement has been made, placing a clean, reform-minded Cabinet official at the helm of DPWH is gaining traction among advocates eager to finally end the cycle of corruption that has long plagued the department.