Pimentel hits early bidding of 2017 DPWH projects pending GAA okay

Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III today expressed shock and outrage over reports that some district engineers and regional directors of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have allegedly started bidding out projects for 2017 when the General Appropriations Act (GAA) is still being deliberated in Congress.

Pimentel said it is both shameful and deplorable why certain DPWH district engineers and regional directors would already schedule the conduct of biddings for projects that are yet to be officially approved by Congress and signed by the President into law.

"Kung may tara sa Bureau of Customs, meron din palang obligasyon sa DPWH," said Pimentel, referring to the grease money being passed on allegedly by handpicked winning contractors to their "connections" at the DPWH.

Pimentel enjoined DPWH secretary Mark Villar to quickly investigate the reports and order a stop in the scheduled biddings to break the backbone of graft and corruption at the agency which has been long tainted by several irregularities in the past.

He also urged Villar to fire erring DPWH officials and file the necessary charges in court to completely eradicate the "bad eggs" in the agency.