Dizon taps NBI, private sector to check 14 DPWH officials’ backgrounds
Metro Manila, Philippines - Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation and the private sector to conduct background checks on 14 agency officials — a move that came in the wake of allegations that some of his executives have questionable ties to contractors.
In a letter dated Oct. 22 and shared to the media on Thursday, Oct. 23, Dizon wrote to NBI director Jaime Santiago to investigate eight undersecretaries and six assistant secretaries, namely:
+ Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain
+ Undersecretary Arthur V. Bisnar
+Undersecretary Ador G. Canlas
+ Undersecretary Nicasio A. Conti
+ Undersecretary Charles T. Calima
+ Undersecretary Samuel Rufino J. Turgano
+ Undersecretary Ricardo P. Bernabe III
+ OIC-Undersecretary Lara Marisse I. Esquibil
+ Assistant Secretary Nerie D. Bueno
+ Assistant Secretary Medmier G. Malig
+ Assistant Secretary Michael S. Villafranca
+ Assistant Secretary Constante A. Llanes, Jr.
+ Assistant Secretary Michelle S. De Vera
+ Assistant Secretary Suzanne Marie R. Liwanag
Dizon sent a similar letter to the Institute of Corporate Directors, Management Association of the Philippines, and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“Together, we can demonstrate how collaboration between the public and private sectors can lead to a more transparent, efficient, and credible bureaucracy that our citizens can fully trust,” he wrote.
In a press statement, the secretary said the move is part of the agency’s continuous overhaul after a number of DPWH officials were implicated in the alleged pocketing of public funds in flood control projects.
Last week, neophyte lawmaker Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste accused former DPWH Undersecretary Arrey Perez of having links to contractors. He later said more officials may have ties with construction firms taking on government projects.
Perez quit his post, saying he will not let people use him as a diversionary tactic amid the investigation.
Dizon maintained that the probe against Perez and other resigned DPWH officials, who were tagged in the scandal, will continue.
