Singson declines DPWH offer, offers probe into flood control anomalies

Former DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson confirmed receiving informal offers from Malacañang to serve as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s next DPWH chief, but he declined due to family and security reasons.

Despite rejecting the offer, Singson expressed willingness to lead an independent panel investigating anomalies in flood control projects and emphasized the importance of integrated water resource management beyond just flood control.

Incumbent DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said he would leave it up to President Marcos Jr. whether he needs to take a leave amid the probe into alleged corruption in flood control projects, while Senator Sherwin Gatchalian urged him to voluntarily step down out of delicadeza.

Senate investigations and Marcos Jr.'s on-site inspections revealed several irregularities in project awarding, construction, and auditing, with 15 contractors receiving a significant portion of P545 billion worth of flood control projects under scrutiny.

Singson's involvement is supported by the Management Association of the Philippines and private sector executives who advocate for anti-corruption measures, highlighting his track record in implementing such initiatives during his previous tenure under President Noynoy Aquino.