Typhoon Haiyan Philippines News Update:

Rehabilitation Secretary Panfilo "Ping" Lacson claims that he has been "quietly investigating" reports about a possible kickback from the cost of the bunkhouses built for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan.

Lacson said that such accusations involving "at least one politician in the area colluding with contractors," to which he refused to disclose further details.

"They talked of 30-35% commissions," Lacson revealed about the allegations involving a government official.

Newly appointed Sec. Lacson said on a radio interview that "unscrupulous lower-ranking officials" have taken advantage of the calamity Typhoon Haiyan has caused.

Lacson did disclose additional information following the reports made by the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Monday about the alleged "overpriced" bunkhouses.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported "that a 24-room bunkhouse is being constructed at a cost roughly below P200,000 and not P959,360 - the price tag put on it" from the plan reported by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

On the same article it said that Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM), a group affiliated with the International Organization for Migration, illustrated the bunkhouses as "noncompliant in many respects with internationally recognized standards and best practices."

The publication has obtained a report from CCCM saying: "There appears to be a number of contractors working at different sites. Standards and facilities appear to be somewhat different between different locations. It raises the question of whether contractors have different specifications for different sites, if they are using the same specifications, whether these are fully complied with in every location."

On that note, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, who's responsible for the rehabilitation program, made a statement on Monday saying that he will offer his resignation once the said controversy is proven.

However, the DPWH chief has insisted that there was no overpricing from the government's rehabilitation project.

"It is not overpriced. If it's overpriced, I will, submit the following day, my resignation to President (Benigno) Aquino (III)," he claimed during the news briefing in Malacanang.

He then explained the difference between overpricing from under specification.

"Overpriced means that there are specifications detailed, given by DPWH and the unit prices of these bunkhouses are above what normally would be in the market place. That's overpriced," he addressed.

"I can tell you there's no overpricing here," Singson insisted.

 In addition, Singson made sure that he'll be checking on with the issue and that he'll be visiting the areas involved.

"I'm going there tomorrow to check. I can tell you 'pag substandard, hindi sila babayaran," he said. (if its substandard, they will not be paid)

"We have not paid any of the contractors at this point. We asked them on voluntary basis ... If the contractors did not follow the specifications we gave them, they will not be paid unless they correct or rectify to meet our standards. So whether they want to retrofit to meet our standards or they will not be paid," he continued.

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