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Marcos names Dizon as DPWH secretary

Marcos names Dizon as DPWH secretary

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has accepted the resignation of Manuel Bonoan as secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Malacañang said on Sunday. Bonoan’s resignation takes effect on Monday, September 1. He will be replaced by Transportation Secretary Vivencio “Vince” Dizon, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO). “Secretary Dizon has been tasked to conduct a full organizational sweep of the Department and ensure that public funds are used solely for infrastructure that truly protects and benefits the Filipino people,” the PCO said. Meanwhile, the President has appointed Giovanni Lopez as acting secretary of the Department of Transportation “to guarantee uninterrupted service delivery” of the agency.

Bonoan resigns, Dizon named DPWH chief

Bonoan resigns, Dizon named DPWH chief

(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has accepted the resignation of Manuel Bonoan as secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Malacañang announced on Sunday. Bonoan’s resignation takes effect today, Sept. 1, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO). He will be replaced by Transportation Secretary Vivencio “Vince” Dizon. As DPWH chief, Dizon will lead the administration’s campaign against corruption, beginning with “a full organizational sweep of the department,” the PCO said. Bonoan has been caught up in the controversy involving flawed, unfinished and non-existent flood-control projects. The PCO said that in his resignation letter, Bonoan “expressed support for the President’s call for accountability, transparency, and reform within the DPWH.” The President also created the Independent Commission to Investigate Flood Control Anomalies, the PCO said. The commission will make a comprehensive review of flood-control projects, identify irregularities, and recommend accountability measures, PCO said. “These decisions reflect the administration’s firm resolve to clean up corruption, strengthen institutions, and deliver honest and effective public service under Bagong Pilipinas,” it added. The President appointed Giovanni Lopez as acting secretary of the Department of Transportation “to guarantee uninterrupted service delivery” of the agency. Lopez was sworn in as DOTr Undersecretary for Administration, Finance, and Procurement last February. Prior to that, he was the chief of staff of the Office of the Secretary from 2020 to 2022 and held senior positions overseeing critical railway, aviation, and maritime infrastructure projects. DPWH Information Director Randy del Rosario said that they didn’t have any inkling that Bonoan would resign. Del Rosario said he has yet to receive instructions related to Bonoan’s resignation. “We don’t have a copy of his resignation letter. I was not instructed also to make a formal statement,” Del Rosario told The Manila Times. Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who had exposed anomalous flood-control projects on the Senate floor, on Sunday said the President made both a “hard decision and good choice” in appointing Dizon as the new Public Works secretary. “I have watched and followed Vince Dizon’s indefatigable, almost daily efforts to solve the numerous problems that beset the transportation sector,” Lacson said in a statement. Senate President Francis Escudero wished Dizon well and prayed for his success “as he takes on the formidable task” of leading the DPWH. Escudero said the Senate “stands ready” to support the reforms Dizon would pursue to ensure that public works are “delivered efficiently, transparently, with full accountability and in the service of the Filipino people.” “The challenges before him are immense — but so is the opportunity to institute long-overdue reforms in the agency,” he said. Sen. Loren Legarda wished Dizon the best in the “most difficult task” ahead. “We are here to help him achieve our goal of transparency and upholding the public good,” she said in a text message. Sen. JV Ejercito said Dizon “will be facing a very challenging and daunting task of restoring faith of the public in the scandal-ridden DPWH.” “I wish him well and all the luck because he would need lots of it, maybe even a miracle to turn around the embattled department,” Ejercito said. Sen. Joel Villanueva said Dizon’s appointment as DPWH secretary “will play a pivotal role in cleansing the agency.” “His no-nonsense approach to governance as Transportation secretary will be crucial in his new appointment, especially with the full trust and confidence of the President,” Villanueva said. Former lawmaker Joey Salceda welcomed Dizon’s appointment as the DPWH secretary. “There is no better appointment for the DPWH than Secretary Vince Dizon. He has proven himself to be the fastest, most responsive, and most practical official across multiple administrations. His leadership style is no-nonsense and always focused on results,” Salceda, chairman of the Institute of Risk and Strategic Studies, said on Sunday. He described Dizon as “solutions-based, decisive, and unafraid of difficult tasks.” WITH REINA C. TOLENTINO

Habagat, LPA to bring rain over most of PH until Monday

Habagat, LPA to bring rain over most of PH until Monday

MANILA, Philippines – A combination of a low-pressure area (LPA) and the southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” is forecast to bring rain nationwide on Sunday afternoon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said. Pagasa warned of “scattered rains and thunderstorms” brought by the LPA over Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Quezon, Rizal, Bicol Region, and Eastern Visayas. Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon will cause the same weather conditions in Metro Manila, Mimaropa, Zamboanga Peninsula, Camiguin, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, and the remaining parts of Visayas, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon, Pagasa reported. The state weather bureau also reported southwest monsoon-induced […]... Keep on reading: Habagat, LPA to bring rain over most of PH until Monday

Fellow Olympians join EJ Obiena for PH World Pole Vault meet

Fellow Olympians join EJ Obiena for PH World Pole Vault meet

MANILA, Philippines—Home bet EJ Obiena and fellow Olympian Menno Vloon of the Netherlands headline the first batch of participants in the World Pole Vault Challenge set for September 21 at Ayala Malls Manila Bay. Holding a pole vault competition in the Philippines was a “lifelong dream” come true for Obiena, who initially planned to stage the world-class event last year. READ: EJ Obiena fulfills ‘lifelong dream’ with world pole vault event in PH Vloon, like Obiena, competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he finished in 11th place. Americans Austin Miller and Matthew Ludwig are also confirmed for the meet. […]... Keep on reading: Fellow Olympians join EJ Obiena for PH World Pole Vault meet

House to invite Atong Ang, Gretchen Barretto to ‘sabungeros’ probe

House to invite Atong Ang, Gretchen Barretto to ‘sabungeros’ probe

MANILA, Philippines – The House committee on human rights will invite gambling tycoon Atong Ang and his former partner, actress Gretchen Barretto, to attend its inquiry into the case of the missing “sabungeros” (cockfighting aficionados), Manila 1st District Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. revealed on Friday. “Later on, we’ll call on him too as he was charged for murder, even I think Gretchen Baretto,” Abante said in an interview with Bilyonaryo TV. Abante also said that Ang and Baretto’s accusers, the Patidongan brothers, and 18 policemen allegedly involved in the case would also be invited during the probe. READ: Sabungeros […]... Keep on reading: House to invite Atong Ang, Gretchen Barretto to ‘sabungeros’ probe

Emma Tiglao pens touching gratitude list after Miss Grand International PH win

Emma Tiglao pens touching gratitude list after Miss Grand International PH win

A week after she received the Miss Grand International Philippines title, Emma Tiglao expressed her gratitude to the people whom she credits for her recent pageant victory. “This crown was built by the hands and hearts of everyone who helped me. Each step I took was guided by the love, strength, and faith of everyone who believed in me. Maraming, maraming salamat po (Thank you very much) [gold heart emoji][crown emoji],” she said on her social media post. First on her gratitude list was God, who she said gave her another opportunity to do the one thing she truly loves, […]... Keep on reading: Emma Tiglao pens touching gratitude list after Miss Grand International PH win