MANILA — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) released the initial list of 10 officials from its regional offices who will be investigated for allegedly living lavish lifestyles and being involved in substandard projects.

At a press conference at the DPWH head office, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said show cause orders were issued to personnel from seven regional offices, including:

• NCR Regional Director Gerard Opulencia (lavish lifestyle)
• Central Visayas (Region 7) RD Danilo Villa (lavish lifestyle)
• Former Mimaropa (Region 4-B) RD Gerald Pacanan (substandard projects)
• Cordillera Autonomous Region RD Khadaffy Tangelo (failure to cooperate with the ongoing investigation)
• Central Visayas Right of Way Acquisition and Legal Division Chief Brando Raya (lavish lifestyle)
• Former District Engineer Isabelo Baleros, Las Piñas-Muntinlupa DEO (substandard projects)
• DE Almer Miranda, Pampanga 1st DEO (substandard projects)
• DE Gil B. Lorenzo, La Union DEO (substandard project)
• DE Arturo L. Gonzales, Jr., Quezon City 1st DEO (substandard project)
• DE Johnny L. Protesta, Jr., Quezon City 2nd DEO (substandard project)

“Again this is just an initial list, based on the reports we have received and evidence that was submitted by different sources, so we have sent official show cause orders to these officials of the DPWH, which are included in our top to bottom cleansing,” Dizon said.

The officials have five days from receipt of the orders to submit written explanations. Dizon added that, depending on the investigation results, administrative charges will be filed following the Civil Service law.

“If they, the officials, think that I’m not going to take this seriously, I hope this is proof that we are serious, that the President is serious about this and we will not spare nobody, top to bottom, whether you are a former Secretary, Undersecretary, Assistant Secretary, Regional Director, District Engineer, this institution needs to be fixed,” he said.

Dizon also reiterated his order for all department employees to fully cooperate and provide documents to the investigating body in connection with anomalous flood control projects.

“Please comply with our two orders to cooperate fully with the ICI (Independent Commission for Infrastructure) and preserve and submit all the documents required by the latter. If they will not cooperate, or the same thing will happen to them. They will be charged administratively even criminally,” Dizon said. (PNA)