'Ayoko na rin pong andito ako': Vince Dizon asked about lapsed appointment as DPWH chief

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Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon was questioned on Friday about his lapsed appointment as department chief, which was supposed to end on September 1, 2026, according to Senator Imee Marcos.

In response, the DPWH chief said he would be more than happy to leave the post if it is declared that his tenure has already ended, adding that the job was extremely challenging.

"Permission to speak frankly. Ma'am, this is music to my ears kasi medyo ayoko na rin pong nandito ako eh, so gusto ko na pong wala ako dito. Okay na po ito, masaya pa po ako," Dizon said.

(Permission to speak frankly. Ma'am, this is music to my ears because I also somewhat don't want to be here anymore, so I would really prefer not to be here. This is fine with me, and I would even be happy about it.)

"To be quite frank, it would be very welcome kung totoo po 'yung sinasabi ninyo na hindi na ako secretary ng DPWH. I will be more than happy to accept that kasi napakahirap po ng trabaho na to," he added.

(To be quite frank, it would be very welcome if what you're saying is true—that I am no longer the secretary of the DPWH. I will be more than happy to accept that because this job is extremely difficult.)

Marcos raised the issue after she followed up with Dizon a letter of inquiry she sent to his office on September 2.

The senator said she did not receive any reply from the secretary within seven days, pursuant to their administrative code.

"I'm sorry, but the Administrative Code is very clear that it is only one year, and if you are appointed in an acting capacity, September 1, 2025, it has lapsed in 2026," Marcos asked Dizon.

"Today is [September] 25, 2026—overdue na po kayo ng ilang araw. What is the present status, therefore, of your appointment?" she added.

(Today is [September] 25, 2026—you are overdue by several days. What is the present status, therefore, of your appointment?)

Dizon said that he has yet to confer with the Office of the President to clarify the status of his appointment.

Citing information from DPWH Chief-of-Staff Undersecretary Ricardo Bernabe III, Dizon pointed out that his appointment continues until the session of Congress ends and goes into recess.

"Usec. Bernabe just told me that… my appointment po as the Secretary is continuing until the session of Congress ends and in recess. After which I need to be reappointed," Dizon said.

Dizon took his oath as DPWH chief on September 1, 2025, replacing former secretary Manuel Bonoan, who resigned from the post amid public pressure over the flood control scandal.

Dizon was serving as the Department of Transportation secretary at the time, but his stint was cut short to conduct a "full organizational sweep" within the DPWH as ordered by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

According to Dizon, in the past year, at least 61 DPWH employees found to have ties to anomalies were removed from office, with some facing pending charges.

Meanwhile, at least 19 contractors have been referred to the Office of the Ombudsman, and 11 contractors have been blacklisted, the DPWH chief added. — VDV, GMA News