ASEANEWS HEADLINE-CORRUPTION | MANILA: Bonoan out; Dizon named DPWH chief
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WATCH VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLRWErxObpo
Resignation ni Bonoan sa DPWH, tinanggap na ni Pres. Marcos; Vince Dizon, ipapalit kay Bonoan
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MANILA, Philippines — Just a day after Manuel Bonoan rejected calls for him to quit as public works secretary, Malacañang announced that he had resigned from the agency, which is under fire for alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
President Marcos has accepted Bonoan’s resignation, which takes effect today, according to a statement issued by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) yesterday.
Transportation Secretary Vivencio Dizon, who assumed his post only last February, will replace Bonoan and has been tasked “to conduct a full organizational sweep” of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Dizon was also directed to “ensure that public funds are used solely for infrastructure that truly protects and benefits the Filipino people.”
“In his resignation letter, Secretary Bonoan expressed support for the President’s call for accountability, transparency and reform within the DPWH,” the PCO said.
“To lead the DPWH through this critical transition, the President has appointed Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon as the new Secretary of DPWH,” it added.
Dizon previously served as presidential adviser on flagship infrastructure projects and president of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority under the previous administration, when he was also deputy chief implementer of the National Task Force Against COVID-19.
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PCO Secretary Dave Gomez could not say whether Bonoan submitted a new resignation letter or it was the same one that he sent last May to comply with Marcos’ directive for all officials to quit to give way to a performance audit. Gomez noted that all courtesy resignations have no expiry and that all officials serve at the pleasure of the President.
Marcos has also created an independent commission to investigate flood control anomalies. The body has been tasked to conduct a comprehensive review of projects, identify irregularities and recommend accountability measures to ensure public trust in infrastructure spending.
“These decisions reflect the administration’s firm resolve to clean up corruption, strengthen institutions, and deliver honest and effective public service under Bagong Pilipinas,” the PCO said.
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The PCO statement did not provide details on the composition of the body, which was formed as the administration is gathering reports about the status of flood control projects in various areas.
Dizon will be succeeded by Transportation Undersecretary Giovanni Lopez, who has been named acting secretary of the agency. Lopez was sworn in as undersecretary for administration, finance, and procurement last February. He was a chief of staff in the office of the secretary from 2020 to 2022 and held senior posts overseeing critical railway, aviation and maritime infrastructure projects.
“As acting secretary, Atty. Lopez will ensure continuity and build upon the gains initiated under Secretary Dizon’s leadership – particularly in advancing transport modernization and supporting initiatives that prioritize commuter safety, efficiency, and seamless project delivery,” the PCO said.
Flood control probe
During his fourth State of the Nation Address last July, Marcos ordered a probe into alleged anomalies in flood control projects, saying officials and contractors who had benefitted from corrupt practices should be ashamed for stealing the future of cyclone-hit communities. He has also launched the website sumbongsapangulo.ph to enable citizens to provide information about questionable projects in their localities and has vowed to file charges against corrupt officials and the contractors who are in cahoots with them.
In a recent press conference, Marcos disclosed the preliminary observations of the probe, including the awarding of about 20 percent of the P545.64-billion budget for flood control projects since July 22 to just 15 contractors and the presence of more than 6,000 projects without details on the nature of the construction works they covered. The investigation also revealed that several projects in different areas had exactly the same contract cost and that there seemed to be a mismatch between regions with the most number of projects and the most flood-prone locations.
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Following a series of inspections of problematic projects, Marcos ordered a lifestyle check on all officials, staring with the DPWH.
The mounting allegations of corruption involving flood control projects have sparked calls for Bonoan to step down from his post and to intensify the crackdown on schemes that result in substandard structures that place disaster-prone communities at risk.
In a video message released last Saturday, the embattled secretary rejected calls for him to resign, saying turning one’s back on responsibilities is not the right way to solve a problem.
“I will accept accountability, but remember this, I will not condone or allow any form of corruption,” Bonoan said in the video message.
Senators welcome Dizon’s appointment
Lawmakers welcomed Marcos’ decision to accept the resignation of Bonoan and appoint Dizon in his place, describing the move as both a difficult call and an opportunity for long-overdue reforms in an agency hounded by allegations of corruption.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who has been raising concerns over corruption and inefficiency in the DPWH, said the change at the agency was a “hard decision” for Malacañang, but also the “right choice,” citing Dizon’s track record in handling complex infrastructure and transportation issues.
“The President made both a hard decision and a good choice in Secretary Vince Dizon to replace a beleaguered DPWH secretary. I have watched and followed Vince Dizon’s indefatigable, almost daily effort to solve the numerous problems that beset the transportation sector. I can only wish him Godspeed and more importantly, good health,” Lacson said in a statement.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, who earlier called on Bonoan to go on leave while ghost and anomalous projects under his department are under scrutiny, also expressed confidence in the new secretary’s capabilities.
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He, however, stressed that Dizon must act decisively against corruption.
“Very good choice! He’s an action man and a man of integrity. I’m very confident that he will get the job done without corruption. But the first order of business is to put corrupt officials and contractors in jail. This will bring back the confidence of the people to DPWH,” he added.
Senate President Francis Escudero, for his part, issued a statement saying the Senate is ready to support Dizon in instituting reforms.
“We wish Sec. Vince Dizon well and pray for his success as he takes on the formidable task of leading the Department of Public Works and Highways. The challenges before him are immense – but so is the opportunity to institute long-overdue reforms in the agency,” Escudero said.
“The hands-on approach and fresh perspective he brings will serve him well in confronting the deeply entrenched problems that have long plagued the DPWH. Rooting out corruption is just the first step, because equally important is ensuring that all DPWH projects serve their purpose and truly improve the lives of our countrymen. The Senate stands ready to support the reforms Sec. Dizon will pursue to ensure that public works are delivered efficiently, transparently, with full accountability and in the service of the Filipino people,” he added.
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Sen. JV Ejercito, however, underscored the gravity of the task awaiting Dizon, describing the DPWH as “scandal-ridden” and difficult to fix.
“Sec. Dizon will be facing a very challenging & daunting task of restoring faith of the public in the scandal ridden DPWH. I wish him well & all the luck because he would need lots of it maybe even a miracle to turn around the embattled Department!” Ejercito said.
The shake-up at the DPWH follows mounting scrutiny over alleged irregularities in flood control projects and contracting practices, which critics say have eroded public trust in one of the government’s largest spending agencies.
Bonoan, who assumed the post in June 2022, resigned amid mounting controversies over alleged irregularities in flood control projects and criticisms of the department’s spending priorities. – Neil Jayson Servallos, Christine
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