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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DPWH chief vows return of stolen flood-control funds: 'Jail time alone is not enough'

DPWH chief vows return of stolen flood-control funds: 'Jail time alone is not enough'

Published Sep 12, 2025 05:47 pm

At A Glance

  • DPWH chief vows recovery of flood-control funds from erring officials and contractors.
  • Jail time 'alone is not enough,' assets must be returned.
  • Non-bailable cases, asset forfeiture pursued with Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince B. Dizon holds a press conference at the agency’s head office in Port Area, Manila, on September 12, 2025, where he vowed to recover public funds allegedly lost to anomalous flood-control projects. (Photo courtesy of DPWH)
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince B. Dizon holds a press conference at the agency’s head office in Port Area, Manila, on September 12, 2025, where he vowed to recover public funds allegedly lost to anomalous flood-control projects. (Photo courtesy of DPWH)
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince B. Dizon on Friday, Sept. 12, vowed to recover public funds allegedly lost to irregularities in flood-control projects, stressing that taxpayers’ money must be returned from erring officials and contractors.
Following directives from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Dizon said the DPWH will work with the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to freeze and forfeit the assets of those implicated.
“I will meet with the Anti-Money Laundering Council on Monday to discuss the possible freezing and eventual forfeiture of assets of those involved in this massive theft of public funds,” he said in a press conference.
“Jail time alone is not enough—the people’s money must be returned. All those we will file criminal cases against at the Ombudsman will also face a parallel process to recover public funds,” he added.
The DPWH chief said investigations and the filing of non-bailable criminal cases at the Ombudsman are ongoing, with new cases to be filed weekly.
“Hindi pa rin tayo titigil sa mga susunod na araw at linggo sa ating pagfa-file ng mga kaso sa Ombudsman. Next week, we will be filing the second case. We are already preparing for the filing of the case for the projects in Oriental Mindoro (We will not stop in the coming days and weeks in filing cases at the Ombudsman. Next week, we will be filing the second case. We are already preparing for the filing of the case for the projects in Oriental Mindoro),” he emphasized.
Dizon also said provisions on performance bonds, warranties, and securities will be strictly enforced to ensure that projects are completed according to contracts and meet required standards.

Related Tags

DPWH Vince Dizon public funds Flood-control projects Anti-Money Laundering Council
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