Given how sensitive the public reacts when it comes to the issue of corruption, a simple accusation--even based on a rumor--can instantly tarnish someone's reputation.

This is why, for Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, hard evidence is important when discussing these matters.

"Di rin naman pwedeng puro hearsay, puro nabasa, puro narinig ko, o puro may nagsabi sakin. Importante rin may hard evidence, importante talaga na mayroong ebidensya (It can’t just be all hearsay — things you’ve read, heard, or things that someone told you. What’s important is having solid proof; evidence is truly essential)," he said in an interview with Usapang Senado over DWIZ radio on Saturday, Oct. 18.

The senator brought this up when asked regarding Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste's remarks about recently resigned Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Arrey Perez.

Gatchalian was asked if such statements cast doubt on the leadership of the agency's incumbent secretary, Vince Dizon.

Gatchalian sees Dizon as the right person to fix the DPWH since he's a straight-shooter, determined, and quick to take action, considering what he did during the pandemic.

The senator, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, will lead the deliberation of DPWH's proposed 2026 national budget on Monday, Oct. 20.

Dizon is the lead figure in the continuing investigation into the anomalous flood control projects in the country.

"Pero kailangan niya rin ng mga taong pagkakatiwalaan dahil hindi niya kaya ng sarili ito (But he also needs people he can trust, because he can’t do it alone)," the senator said.

Gatchalian approves of the "reminders" and "warnings" being made by Leviste to Dizon regarding the officials around him if he sees anything wrong with them. Doing so would prevent the repeat of mistakes of the past.

However, he highlighted the importance of providing evidence to back up such statements since it's easy to accuse someone.

"Sa ngayon sensitibo ang tao eh napansin ko. 'Pag sinabi mong corruption, 'pag sinabi mong flood control, very sensitive ang tao kaya mbansagan ka lang na mayroon kang flood control e masamang tao ka na agad o mabansagan ka lang na may kontrata ka sa gobyerno na construction, masamang tao ka agad (Right now, people are very sensitive, I’ve noticed. When you mention corruption or flood control, people become quick to judge, once you’re labeled as someone involved in flood control projects or with a government construction contract, you’re immediately seen as a bad person)," he said.

"Madaling mag-accuse at masisira agad yung pangalan ng tao kaya importante na may ebidensya para patunayanan na mayroon talagang di magandang ginagawa (It’s easy to make accusations, and a person’s name can be ruined right away, that’s why it’s important to have evidence to prove that someone is truly doing something wrong)," he added.

Leviste had urged Dizon to make public all of his supposed links to contractors as he raised personal concerns about these alleged connections. He cited "multiple sources" during his press conferences, but didn't name anybody in particular.