ANC: New DPWH chief Lopez sacks 4 officials due to alleged corruption and submitting false documents
Public Works Secretary Giovanni Lopez has relieved four Department of Public Works and Highways officials from their posts following an initial review of case files turned over by his predecessor, Vince Dizon.
Lopez said he had examined some of the documents handed over during the turnover of leadership last month, leading to the removal of four officials from their respective district engineering offices.
Three officials were relieved over alleged corrupt activities: Tarlac First District Engineering Office District Engineer Hermon Ines, Cotabato Third District Engineering Office District Engineer Saidale Mitmug, and Apayao Second District Engineering Office Officer-in-Charge District Engineer Clifton Valencerina.
Another official, Lanao del Norte Second District Engineering Office District Engineer Amron Mitmug, was relieved for allegedly submitting false supporting documents for projects included in the proposed 2027 national budget, also known as the National Expenditure Program.
Lopez said the official had personally signed certificates of implementability for 59 projects, but the DPWH’s review found that these could not be implemented due to right-of-way issues or duplicate funding.
The secretary said such submissions point to inadequate project preparation and contribute to problems in the national budget.
Asked whether the official may have been working with lawmakers, Lopez declined to speculate, saying further investigation was needed.
He warned, however, that more officials could be removed as the department continues its investigation into alleged irregularities.
Meanwhile, Lopez on Monday inspected the ongoing reconstruction of a dike in Barangay Frances in Calumpit, Bulacan, one of the areas identified as a hotspot for flood control anomalies.
The inspection comes after the original dike network was found to be substandard, with some portions reportedly non-existent, leaving nearby communities vulnerable to tidal flooding.
Resident Virginia Candelaria recalled how residents had to stay on higher ground for nearly three months because floodwaters rose above their heads, leaving them with no safe way to go down.
She expressed hope that the ongoing construction would finally address the community’s flooding problems.
Lopez assured residents that the new dike would provide better protection against high tides, citing a planned slope elevation of 1.7 meters.
The improved dike is expected to be completed by March 2027. The DPWH also plans to construct a pumping station in the area. – ANC, The World Tonight, November 9, 2026