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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Solons express both optimism, cynicism over DPWH leadership change

Solons express both optimism, cynicism over DPWH leadership change

Published Aug 31, 2025 07:49 pm

At A Glance

  • House of Representatives members were either optimistic or cynical Sunday night, Aug. 31 over news that Secretary Vince Dizon had taken over the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) following Secretary Manuel Bonoan's resignation from the controversial agency.
Incoming DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon and outgoing secretary Manuel Bonoan (Facebook)
Incoming DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon and outgoing secretary Manuel Bonoan (Facebook)


House of Representatives members were either optimistic or cynical Sunday night, Aug. 31 over news that Secretary Vince Dizon had taken over the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) following Secretary Manuel Bonoan's resignation from the controversial agency.
The changing of the guard at the DPWH took place even as it was undergoing intense scrutiny over alleged anomalous and "ghost" flood control projects worth billions of pesos.
"Secretary Vince Dizon is an excellent choice to replace Secretary Manuel Bonoan. Corrupt officials in DPWH are now warned. As Secretary Dizon has shown at the Department of Transportation (DOTr), he has zero tolerance for people who are not law-abiding," Manila 2nd district Rep. Rolando Valeriano said in a statement.
This sentiment was echoed by Las Piñas City lone district Rep. Mark Anthony Santos. "[The] right decision, Mr. President," he said in a Facebook post.
"Ang pagtanggap sa pagbibitiw ni Sec. Bonoan at ang pagtatalaga kay Vince Dizon ay hakbang patungo sa reporma at pananagutan sa DPWH. Panahon na para ayusin ang flood control projects para sa tunay na kapakanan ng mamamayan,” he noted.
(The acceptance of Secretary Bonoan’s resignation and the appointment of Vince Dizon is a step toward reform and accountability in the DPWH. It is time to fix the flood control projects for the genuine welfare of the people.)
Other House members like Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña was less enthusiastic with his reaction, although he acknowledged Bonoan's departure as a positive development in the whole flood control projects mess.
"Ironically, this might be one of the few good decisions made by the outgoing secretary...This is just a necessary first step in the long road  ahead to accountability and fighting corruption. Malayo pa tayo (There is a long road ahead)," he said in a separate statement.
Cendaña vowed that they will intensify their call for accountability over corruption in the DPWH.
"The corruption in the agency is systemic and widespread–involving contractors, district engineers, and fellow lawmakers. Kaya kailangan din sistematiko at lubusan ang reporma (That's why we also need a systemic and full reform)."
As for the choice of Dizon, Cendaña says he hopes it wasn't just a "knee-jerk" reaction from President Marcos. "While Sec. Dizon has made improvements in the DOTr, hindi sapat ang pagpalit lang ng ulo sa agency (changing the head of the agency isn't enough)."
Just a cosmetic change?
Makabayan bloc solons ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co were even more cycnical than their House colleagues on the matter.
"Ang resignation ni Bonoan hindi sapat kasi systemic ang problema. Hindi malulutas ang issue. Cosmetic lang yan at most (Bonoan's resignation is not enough because the problem is systemic. At the most it's a cosmetic change)," Tinio said in response to President Marcos' acceptance of Bonoan's resignation.
Tinio criticized the administration's approach of merely shuffling officials while leaving the corrupt structures intact within the DPWH.
"Simply replacing one official with another will not solve the decades-old culture of corruption in the DPWH. What we need is a complete overhaul of the system that allows these anomalies to flourish in the first place," he said.
Tinio stressed that real change requires dismantling the patronage networks and rent-seeking mechanisms that made the DPWH a notorious source of corruption allegations across different administrations.
For her part, Co wondered why the Chief Executive wet through the trouble of keeping Bonoan for weeks amid repeated calls for reform in the agency.'
"Dapat matagal nang sinibak ni Marcos si Bonoan, kaysa inabangang mag-resign. Kung bibitawan din pala si Bonoan, bakit pinatagal pa? Para magsara muna ng mga butas sa loob? Nangangamoy cover-up," she said.
(Marcos shoild have sacked Bonoan long ago, instead of anticipating his resignation. If he was going to let him go, why keep him around for that long? Was it to plug up some holes within the agency? This smells like a cover-up.)
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