A self-proclaimed anti-corruption advocate criticized what he described as the slow pace of Malacañang’s action on a multibillion-peso flood control anomaly allegedly involving infrastructure projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Dr. John J. Chiong, chairman of Task Force Kasanag “Bantay Abuso at Corruption,” said he has been pursuing corruption complaints for more than four years, dating back to the Duterte administration, but claimed little progress had been made.
Speaking at a press conference, Chiong said he personally filed corruption complaints with the Office of the Ombudsman during the term of former Ombudsman Samuel Martires, but no action had been taken over several years.
Chiong described himself as a “lone voice in the wilderness” at a time when, he said, no one was listening.
He claimed to have already filed his complaints before the issue gained public attention. These included former DPWH officials, among them then-Secretary Manuel Bonoan, several district officials and Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, whom Chiong said should remain among those facing possible charges.
He said he conducted his own investigation by seeking records from the Commission on Audit, the DPWH, the Department of Justice and the Office of the Ombudsman, but claimed he was met with resistance in his requests.
Chiong said his most recent effort involved writing directly to President Marcos, but he received only a brief response marked “noted,” signed by Palace official Director Ryan Joseph A. Sarte.
While acknowledging that some individuals have been placed under detention in connection with the flood control investigation, Chiong said progress remained slow.
He added that the interagency committee created to investigate the case lacks enforcement powers and can only make recommendations, which he said limits its effectiveness.