By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Newly appointed Public Works Secretary Giovanni Lopez wasted no time in cleaning house, ordering the immediate relief of four district engineers over corruption allegations and falsified documents.
Lopez announced Monday that three engineers were removed following “reports of allegations of corruption.” They are Hermon Ines of the Tarlac 1st District Engineering Office, Clifton Valencerina of the Apayao 2nd DEO, and Saidale Mitmug of the Cotabato 3rd DEO.
Another official, Amron Mitmug of the Lanao del Norte 2nd DEO, was relieved for submitting “false supporting documents” for projects proposed under the DPWH’s 2027 national budget.
According to Lopez, Amron Mitmug personally signed “certificates of implementability” for 59 projects that were later found to be unimplementable.
The move marks Lopez’s first major action since taking over the DPWH, signaling a crackdown on questionable practices within the agency ahead of budget deliberations.
Lopez said the department will continue to review submissions and hold accountable any officials found to be involved in irregularities.
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