10 DPWH execs must explain ‘lavish lifestyle,’ role in faulty projects
Secretary Vince Dizon of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced on Wednesday that the agency had issued show-cause orders to 10 of its officials, asking them to explain their reported lavish lifestyles, their involvement in substandard projects, and their failure to cooperate with the ongoing investigation on the matter.
In a media briefing, Dizon also said he had requested relevant authorities to issue a freeze order on some P474 million worth of vehicles belonging to 26 former DPWH officials and private contractors linked to questionable flood control projects, in order to prevent the owners from selling, transferring or further using them.
The 26 people, 20 of them once connected to the DPWH office in Bulacan, were respondents in the first set of graft complaints filed by the DPWH at the Office of the Ombudsman on Sept. 11.
The 10 DPWH officials issued show-cause orders on Wednesday make up another set who report under various units. They were given five days to give their reply, which would be the basis if they could be slapped with administrative charges, Dizon said.
Document preservation
The lifestyle check is part of the agency’s top-to-bottom cleansing of personnel, he said, adding:
“If there is evidence proving that they were involved in the anomalous projects, they will all be held liable and we will submit these to the ICI (Independent Commission for Infrastructure).”
Being asked to explain as part of the lifestyle check are regional directors Gerard Opulencia of the National Capital Region and Danilo Villa of Region VII, as well as lawyer Brando Raya of the right-of-way acquisition and legal division in Region VII.
Issued show-cause orders for their alleged involvement in substandard projects are Gerald Pacanan, former regional director of Region IV-B; Isabelo Baleros, former district engineer of Las Piñas-Muntinlupa; Gil Lorenzo, La Union district engineer; first district engineers Almer Miranda of Pampanga and Arturo Gonzales of Quezon City, and Johnny Protesta, Quezon City second district engineer.
Regional director Khadaffy Tanggol of the Cordillera Administrative Region was asked to explain his failure to cooperate with ongoing investigation of anomalous DPWH projects.
Dizon also issued reminders and warnings to DPWH employees to cooperate with the investigation of the ICI, directing them to preserve and submit documents ordered by the ICI.
“If you know something about projects in different areas, come forward and speak. Don’t wait for us to catch you and face charges. My suggestion: Come forward and tell the truth,” Dizon said.
Buyers warned
On the requested freeze order on the vehicles of 26 suspended or dismissed DPWH officials and private contractors, Dizon said the list of vehicles to be provided by the Land Transportation Office would be submitted to the Anti-Money Laundering Council, the Department of Justice, and the ICI.
In his presentation on Wednesday, the public works chief also listed the officials and private contractors he wanted included in the freeze order and the value of the vehicles to be covered.
