DPWH execs relieved as Giovanni Lopez cleans up ranks
MANILA, Philippines — Newly appointed Public Works Secretary Giovanni Lopez’s first order of business was to clean up ranks in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Lopez on Monday relieved four district engineers from their posts over corruption allegations and the submission of false supporting documents for projects proposed for inclusion in the 2027 national budget.
Three were removed from their posts following “reports of allegations of corruption”: Hermon Ines of the Tarlac 1st District Engineering Office (DEO); Clifton Valencerina of the Apayao 2nd DEO; and Saidale Mitmug of the Cotabato 3rd DEO.
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Meanwhile, Amron Mitmug of the Lanao del Norte 2nd DEO was removed from his post for submitting “false supporting documents” for infrastructure projects under the DPWH’s proposed 2027 budget.
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Lopez said Amron Mitmug personally signed the “certificates of implementability” covering 59 projects that were later found to be unimplementable.
READ: Ombudsman suspends 5 DPWH engineers over anomalous Bulacan projects
The DPWH has also implemented the Office of the Ombudsman’s preventive suspension order against 13 agency employees assigned to two district engineering offices over alleged irregularities.
The employees include five personnel from the Bulacan 1st DEO in Central Luzon and eight from the Surigao del Norte 1st DEO in the Caraga region.
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Those covered by the suspension order in Bulacan are former Bids and Awards Committee member Irene Ontingco; Kevin Geronimo, Bernardo Villafuerte and Michelle Cruz, all with rank of Engineer II; and former engineer John Michael Ramos.
READ: Ombudsman: 4 more lawmakers face flood control preliminary probe
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No mere formality
In Surigao del Norte, those covered are former district engineer Annie dela Vega; Federico Gotico III, Demilyn Castrence, and Edward Tinio, all Engineer III; Engineer II and acting Quality Assurance chief Florencio Sulana; Engineer III and Maintenance Section chief Quintiniano Armendarez Jr.; Accountant III Jerome Sulapas; and Engineer II Ricky Arciga.
The new DPWH chief stressed that regional directors, district engineers, assistant district engineers, and implementing offices must ensure that projects they certify as implementable can actually proceed once funding is made available.
He warned agency personnel against treating the certificate of implementability as a mere formality, particularly with Congress scrutinizing infrastructure projects proposed for next year’s national budget.
Dizon letter
Lopez cited former Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon’s letter to the Senate recommending the exclusion of 295 DPWH projects that lacked complete documentary requirements worth P8.8 billion in the 2027 National Expenditure Program.
Lopez said he would not oppose the inclusion of infrastructure projects in the national budget as long as they undergo the proper process and meet the required standards.
Swift accountability
According to Lopez, President Marcos had instructed him to sustain the department’s reform efforts, ensure the continued implementation of projects, and hold accountable those responsible for irregularities.
“What we need right now is not just accountability. We need swift accountability,” he said.
Lopez vowed that DPWH personnel involved in questionable activities would be immediately investigated, and that no one would be spared in the campaign against corruption. The “one-strike policy” implemented by his predecessor would continue, he added.
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In September last year, Dizon overhauled the DPWH, ordering all officials and personnel to submit their courtesy resignations. The sweep covered more than 200 undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, division heads, regional directors, and district engineers across the country. /cb
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