Malacañang has rejected calls to abolish the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) amid corruption allegations involving some of its officials.

In a press briefing on Monday, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said there are still many honest and dedicated public servants within the agency.

“Not all administrators and not all government officials in the DPWH can be said to have made any wrongdoings. There are still public servants and public officials who we can say are fulfilling their obligations,” she said.

“Right now, [Malacañang] hasn't thought about whether it should be abolished because those who do wrong should be removed from it,” she added.

Castro emphasized that DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon has the authority to identify and remove erring personnel from the department.

“Those who should be removed from the agency will be removed,” she said.

A warning for incoming DPWH staff

Castro also issued a reminder to those aspiring to work at the DPWH.

“You must be sensible, you must have integrity, and you must truly respond to what is in accordance with the law and what will help the people,” she said.

Earlier, Dizon announced that nearly 2,000 positions will soon be opened within the department.

The DPWH has come under fire amid the ongoing probe into alleged irregularities in flood control projects, where several engineers have been implicated. The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is leading the investigation into these allegations.

ICI gets visit from US Embassy

Last week, United States Embassy Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Kelleher visited the ICI office in Taguig City.

According to Castro, the visit was merely a courtesy call and should not be interpreted as foreign interference.

“We spoke with Atty. [Brian Keith] Hosaka and asked him what they discussed. According to him, there was just a courtesy call and they just asked what the mandate of ICI was,” she said.

When asked if the ICI was opening its probe to a foreign audit of international assistance projects, Castro clarified that the discussion focused on the methodology of the investigation.

Ongoing probe ‘running well’

Several lawmakers and civic groups have expressed support for the ongoing ICI investigation and proposed expanding its authority to strengthen its fact-finding power.

“It would be better if the ICI had more teeth, more fangs. But right now, we see that the ICI is running well,” Castro said.

She added that all individuals summoned by the ICI have so far complied and respected its authority.

“If there is anything that needs to be improved, the President will not close the door on it. But for now, from what we can see, the ICI investigation is proceeding well,” she said.

Wait for ICI to complete probe

Also on Monday, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla inspected the new Quezon City Jail, which is being prepared in case individuals found involved in the flood control mess are arrested and detained.

Remulla earlier remarked that as many as 200 individuals could be arrested. However, Castro downplayed the estimate.

“Let's see because the investigation is not yet over. If that's what he thinks, the government is ready if they have to be imprisoned. There may be times when the cases that will be filed can be bailable, so let's see,” Castro said.

Castro added that the ICI is expected to begin filing cases within the next three weeks.

“That is also the promise of the ICI—that there will be a speedy filing of cases. They are just gathering evidence so that the cases they will file will not be weak and might just be dismissed. The effort they have made will be wasted if the cases are just dismissed immediately,” she said.