Restoring Trust in Public Infrastructure Procurement: Why Independence Matters

Restoring trust in public infrastructure procurement requires transparency, independence, and insulation from political manipulation.

The massive public infrastructure procurement scandal exploding before our very eyes has revealed more than just irregularities — it has exposed a deep crisis of confidence. With hearings looking more like a sarsuwela than a serious search for truth, the question is clear:

How can this government ensure a truly independent investigation — one that it cannot control, and one that will not be weaponized for 2028 politics?

The answer lies in decisive steps that build transparency, independence, and insulation from political cycles.

1. Full Transparency of Procurement Records

Every bid document, contract, change order, and evaluation report must be made public in a centralized portal. Professionals in the construction industry should be granted access with a binding waiver of objectivity: if they are found to act in bad faith, they risk losing their professional license.

This will transform scrutiny from a political exercise into a professional obligation.

2. An Independent Investigative Commission

The investigation cannot be housed within the executive branch. Instead, a commission should be legislated or mandated by the Supreme Court, composed of retired justices, COA officials, procurement law experts, and industry professionals.

To prevent political bargaining, commissioners must have fixed, non-renewable terms.

3. Third-Party Oversight and Global Benchmarks

Invite observers from multilateral institutions like the World Bank and ADB, alongside civil society procurement watchdogs. Investigations should align with the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).

Global scrutiny elevates credibility and closes the door on local political manipulation.

4. Independent Forensic Audit

Commission an external audit — ideally a local and international partnership — to conduct a forensic review of procurement flows. Patterns of bid rigging, red flags in cost escalations, and anomalous change orders must be traced and publicly reported.

Findings should not be whispered behind closed doors but presented openly.

5. Bar Investigators from Political Ambitions

Anyone who joins the investigative body must make a sworn declaration of non-intention to run for national office in 2028.

This removes suspicion that the process is being used as a political springboard and reinforces the investigation’s impartiality.

6. Legal Insulation with Prompt Release

Investigation reports must be released immediately upon completion, whether in 2025 or 2026 — not delayed until 2028. At the same time, legislation should ensure that no report can be withheld or timed for political advantage within six months before a national election.

This guarantees both timely accountability and protection from electoral manipulation.

7. Citizen and Industry Participation

Open a formal channel where citizens, engineers, architects, and contractors can submit verified evidence. At the same time, establish strong whistleblower protections to shield individuals from retaliation.

Real accountability requires real participation.

The Bottom Line

The government must not investigate itself. Only through legislation, multi-sectoral involvement, and international benchmarking can we build an investigation that is truly independent, credible, and free from political timing.

Transparency. Independence. Insulation. These three anchors must define the way forward if procurement reform is to mean anything at all.