DPWH, AMLC to tackle assets freeze for individuals tagged in anomalies

By Ferdinand Patinio, Philippine News Agency

Department of Public Works and Highways Vince Dizon announces on Friday (Sept. 12, 2025) that he is going to meet with the Anti-Money Laundering Council next week to discuss the possible freezing and forfeiture of assets of those involved in anomalous flood control projects. (PNA photo by Bong Patinio)

MANILA – Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon is set to meet with the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) next week to discuss the possible freezing and forfeiture of assets of those involved in anomalous flood control projects.

In a press briefing on Friday at the DPWH main office in Port Area, Manila, Dizon said the meeting would focus on the government’s next action after filing a case with the Office of the Ombudsman against former DPWH and private company officials involved in questionable undertakings involving billions of pesos.

“I would meet with the Anti-Money Laundering Council on Monday so that we can discuss the possible freezing and later on forfeiture of assets of those involved in this serious theft of public funds,” he said.

“I need to emphasize that it is not enough that they go to jail, it is not enough to be held accountable.

People’s money must be returned. So, for every criminal case we file with the Ombudsman, there is a twin process to return the people’s money,” the DPWH chief added.

At the same time, Dizon revealed the creation of a separate team that will run after the contractors and look at the provisions of all the contracts.

“I also formed a separate team that will go after the contractors who abused these projects. We will go after the bonds, all warranties and securities in the contracts of these contractors. I was informed that for structures like flood control, they can be chased for five years, meaning there must be a warranty,” he said.

“It’s like when you buy a TV, it has a warranty and you have to replace it with a new one if it breaks. So obviously, ghost projects, we will chase these ones, it is part of civil obligations, (they) must return the people’s money,” Dizon said.

He said those who are facing cases before the Office of the Ombudsman will be the subject of freezing and possibly forfeiture of assets.

On Thursday, the DPWH chief filed corruption charges against Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office personnel composed of former District Engineer Henry Alcantara; former Assistant District Engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez; Construction Section Chief Jaypee Mendoza and John Michael Ramos; Planning and Design Section Chief Ernesto Galang; OIC Maintenance Section Chief Lorenzo Pagtalunan and Jaime R. Hernandez; Quality Assurance Section Chief Norberto Santos; Administrative Section Chief Floralyn Simbulan; Finance Section Juanito Mendoza; Budget Unit Head Roberto Roque; Procurement Unit Head Benedict Matawaran; Cashier Christina Mae Pineda; Project Engineers Paul Jayson Duya, Merg Jaron Laus, Lemuel Ephraim Roque, Arjay Domasig, John Carlo Rivera, John Benex Francisco; and Engr. Jolo Mari Tayao.

The contractors who were charged with related violations of the law are the following: Sally Santos of SYMS Construction Trading; Mark Allan Arevalo of Wawao Builders; Ma. Roma Angeline Rimando with beneficial owner Cezarah Rowena Discaya of St. Timothy Construction Corporation; and Robert Imperio of IM Construction Corporation.

They were charged for violation of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act); Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code (Malversation of Public Funds), in relation to Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code; Republic Act 9184; and other related laws.

Weekly filing of cases

Dizon said investigations and filing of non-bailable cases against those proven to be involved in corruption in the agency are still ongoing, noting that cases are expected to be filed with the Ombudsman every week.

“We will not stop in the coming days and weeks in filing cases with 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 said.

Relieved official

The DPWH chief, meanwhile, announced that he has relieved lawyer Mikhail Tupaz from his post as officer in charge division chief of the Internal Affairs Division, under the agency’s Legal Service.

Tupaz was accused by a subdivision security guard of cursing him and having him arrested by police after refusing him entry. The complaint was brought to Sen. Raffy Tulfo, who then informed the DPWH chief.

“You are hereby relieved from your duty as Officer-In-Charge Division Chief of the Internal Affairs Division effective immediately…” the memorandum signed by Dizon dated Sept. 12, 2025, read.

The DPWH head said he has spoken with the guard and his wife, who will file a complaint against Tupaz before the department.