Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon on Monday assured the public that the government’s pursuit of accountability regarding the alleged flood control scandal remains steadfast, even as leadership changes at the Senate spark concerns over the fate of ongoing investigations.
The shift in Senate leadership, which declared all committee chairmanships vacant, raised alarms that the Blue Ribbon Committee’s probe—previously led by Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson—might be sidelined.
However, Dizon emphasized that the Executive branch and the Office of the Ombudsman will maintain their momentum regardless of legislative reorganization.
Regarding the possible release of government contractor Curlee Discaya from Senate detention, Dizon was firm:
“‘Yung kay Curlee hindi mangyayari ‘yun. We’ll make sure na si Curlee, soon makakasama na niya ‘yung asawa niya sa kulungan. Hindi tayo papayag doon.”
Dizon clarified that while the Senate must decide its own internal affairs, the Executive’s cooperation with anti-graft bodies will not waver.
”Ikalawa, ‘yung sa Blue Ribbon, hindi ako makakapag-comment diyan. Kailangan desisyunan ‘yan ng Senado. Kami sa executive, tuloy-tuloy ang pagpo-provide namin ng documentation. Nakikipagtulungan kami hindi lang sa Blue Ribbon kundi sa Ombudsman, at may tiwala tayo na aaksyon ang Ombudsman. Regardless kung anong mangyari, tuloy-tuloy ang magiging aksyon ng Ombudsman.”
The Secretary made these remarks during an inspection of a revetment structure in Calumpit, Bulacan. He labeled the existing project “substandard,” noting it is currently the subject of a criminal case involving the Discayas and contractors Wawao Builders and Syms.
The current structure is reportedly too low to prevent massive flooding, which often reaches residential rooftops, and has already sustained significant damage.
Dizon announced that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) plans to properly rebuild the revetment with a target completion date of March 2027.