BAGUIO CITY – A storm is brewing inside the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) after Secretary Vince Dizon issued the suspension of Baguio City District Engineer Rene Zarate for allegedly obstructing an ongoing probe into flood-control and infrastructure projects — including suspicions of document tampering.
Dizon’s order, which many insiders say is his “loudest warning shot yet” against internal resistance, directs all DPWH offices across central, regional, and district levels to submit all relevant documents to the newly formed Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI). This move is part of a sweeping investigation into alleged irregularities in multi-billion peso projects.
According to reports reaching the DPWH head office, key documents in Baguio’s engineering office were either altered or withheld, fueling speculation of deeper corruption in local project implementation. Zarate was immediately placed under preventive suspension after reportedly refusing to fully cooperate with the ICI probe.
“This administration cannot and will not tolerate sabotage from within. Public trust is at stake,” Dizon declared in a memo that has already sent ripples across DPWH ranks.
But critics are questioning whether this is a genuine anti-corruption push or a high-profile purge meant to consolidate control. Several engineers, speaking on condition of anonymity, claim the ICI is being used as a political sledgehammer, targeting those who fall out of favor with top brass.
With billions of pesos in flood-control projects under scrutiny and whispers of systemic collusion between contractors and district engineers, the Baguio case is now seen as a litmus test of Dizon’s leadership.
If proven true, document tampering could lead to administrative and even criminal charges. But if mishandled, this latest DPWH shake-up could deepen public doubts about whether reforms are real — or just another round of political theater in a department long haunted by allegations of graft.