Dizon to abolish Bonoan’s DPWH anti-corruption task force

Newly appointed Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon holds a press conference. (Photo from INQUIRER/ MARIANNE BERMUDEZ)

MANILA, Philippines — Newly appointed Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said on Tuesday that he will abolish the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Committee of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) formed by former Secretary Manuel Bonoan, which aimed to investigate the alleged anomalies perpetuated by the department’s officials and/or employees.

READ: Manuel Bonoan resigns; Vince Dizon appointed as new DPWH chief

“The task force or committee that was set up within the DPWH to investigate—I’m sorry, but I don’t agree with it. So today, I’m going to dissolve it. I’m sorry, but I have to dissolve it today,” Dizon said in an interview over DZMM on Tuesday.

READ: DPWH forms anti-corruption panel in response to public scrutiny

“I don’t believe that the DPWH should investigate itself. I think there’s something wrong with that,” he added.

What should be done instead? Dizon said that as he ordered the courtesy resignation of all DPWH officials from “top to bottom,” the new team entering the department will look at the projects and submit the information to the “independent commission” that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently announced he was forming.

READ: Marcos moves to form fact-finding team on infrastructure issues

“We will look at the projects. We will look at the accountability of those within the DPWH. Whatever we see, we will submit it to the independent commission so that they can investigate,” Dizon pointed out.

“They will be the ones to say if anyone should be held accountable. It shouldn’t be us. I don’t believe in that principle. For me, that’s wrong,” he emphasized.

“Sorry to former Secretary Manny, but I find that wrong,” he further said.

‘Internal cleaning’

Dizon likewise pointed out that as he starts to lead the DPWH, he will focus on cleaning up the internal aspects of the agency.

“I will focus internally. My focus is internal — cleaning up the inside — and our information. We will pass it on to the independent commission,” he said.

Bonoan recently formed the DPWH Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Committee through Department Order No. 166, series of 2025, dated August 28.

This directive is meant to investigate the agency’s officials and/or employees amid the government’s ongoing probe into the alleged anomalies in flood control projects in different areas of the country.

On Monday, Dizon took his oath as the new secretary of the DPWH after Bonoan resigned from the post.

The turnover ceremony will be conducted this Tuesday afternoon. /apl