At A Glance
- Three Pampanga DPWH officials were suspended over alleged kickback demands in government-funded projects.
- The officials reportedly sought commissions of up to eight percent, triggering an immediate investigation.
- DPWH warned of administrative and criminal charges under its one-strike policy.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon (Photo: DPWH)
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) suspended three officials from Pampanga’s 2nd District Engineering Office following reports of alleged wrongdoing in government-funded projects.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said the officials were accused of demanding commissions of up to eight percent from the projects.
He added that the suspensions were imposed as soon as the reports reached his office, with a full-blown investigation now underway.
“I am announcing today, effective now, they are relieved and suspended, and we will conduct a full-blown investigation to determine if the reports I received are true,” Dizon said during an inspection of a damaged flood control project in Arayat, Pampanga on Friday.
Those suspended were identified as Ranilo Magtoto, Chief of Maintenance; Arnold Domingo, Engineer 3 of the Construction Section; and Jefferson Guinto, also an Engineer 3 of the Construction Section, all assigned to the Pampanga 2nd District Engineering Office.
Dizon said the investigation will determine whether the officials should face administrative or criminal charges.
“If the reports are proven true, they will not just be relieved from their posts, they will also face charges like those who are already arrested,” he added.
The DPWH chief stressed that any official or employee linked to corruption or extortion is immediately relieved once credible information reaches his office, underscoring the agency’s strict one-strike policy.
The latest suspensions come amid continuing probes into alleged irregularities in flood control projects nationwide.
Previous investigations have resulted in the dismissal of several DPWH officials, including former Bulacan District Engineer Henry Alcantara, Brice Fernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, and others.