Dizon orders Davao execs to explain P96.5-M ‘ghost project’
Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon. INQUIRER PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines — Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon has issued separate show-cause orders.
He was directing the regional director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)–Davao and the district engineer of the Davao Occidental engineering office to explain the P96.5-million Culaman Bridge flood control project in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental, that he recently tagged as a “ghost project.”
READ: P96.5-M Discaya ‘ghost project’ found in Davao Occidental
The DPWH chief released the show-cause orders for DPWH-Davao Regional Director Juby Cordon and Davao Occidental District Engineer Rodrigo Larete after recently inspecting the flood control project.
During their inspection on Thursday, Dizon and then-Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) special adviser Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong found that the project had begun construction only three weeks ago, despite having been declared completed and fully paid for in 2022.
The project was awarded to St. Timothy Construction Company, which is owned by contractor couple Cezarah “Sarah” and Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya, who are both currently under investigation for alleged involvement in anomalies in flood control projects.
READ: Dizon orders DPWH–NCR exec to explain P774-M failed Manila flood project
Show-cause order for Cordon
Based on the show-cause order dated September 26 and released to the public on Saturday, Dizon cited the findings on the said flood control project and emphasized that the Davao Occidental district engineering office operates under Cordon’s command authority and supervisory control.
The DPWH secretary directed Cordon to submit a written explanation under oath within five days as to “why you should not be held administratively liable for possible violations of existing laws, regulations, and orders.”
“Failure to respond within the stipulated time shall be construed as a waiver of your right to explain, and this Office shall resolve the matter based on the available records and evidence,” Dizon said.
Show-cause order for Larete
Meanwhile, in the show-cause order to Larete, Dizon noted that the findings on the Culaman Bridge flood control project may constitute violations of existing laws, regulations, and orders.
Dizon specifically mentioned the following relevant provisions of Section 63, Rule 10 of the 2025 Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service (2025 RACCS):
- A(1)(f) Grave Misconduct;
- A(1)(h) Gross Neglect of Duty; | A(1)(l) Serious Dishonesty; and
- A(2)(a) Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of Service.
Larete is likewise directed to submit a written explanation under oath within five days as to why no administrative case should be filed against him.
Dizon said in both show-cause orders that Cordon and Larete’s “failure to respond within the stipulated time shall be construed as a waiver of your right to explain, and this Office shall resolve the matter based on the available records and evidence.
Larete, being the district engineer of the province, was also present during Dizon and Magalong’s recent inspection of the said P96.5 million flood control project.
Out of dismay, Dizon even cursed at Larete, telling him in Filipino, “Don’t you feel sorry for the students there, and the people here? Don’t you think about them? You (expletives with words starting with SOB), why did you pay for an incomplete project?” /mr
