Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon ready to leave post once tenure ends

Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon said Friday he would readily step down from his post if his appointment had already expired, after Sen. Imee Marcos questioned whether his tenure as DPWH chief remained valid.

Marcos raised the issue during a hearing, noting that Dizon had been appointed in an acting capacity on September 1, 2025, and questioning whether the one-year limit under the Administrative Code had already lapsed.

"I'm sorry, but the Administrative Code is very clear that it is only one year, and if you are appointed in an acting capacity, September 1, 2025, it has lapsed in 2026," Marcos told Dizon.

"Today is [September] 25, 2026—overdue na po kayo ng ilang araw. What is the present status, therefore, of your appointment?" she added.

Dizon responded that he had not yet consulted the Office of the President on the matter. He, however, said DPWH Chief of Staff Undersecretary Ricardo Bernabe III had told him that his appointment would remain in effect until Congress adjourns and goes into recess, after which he would need to be reappointed.

"Usec. Bernabe just told me that… my appointment po as the Secretary is continuing until the session of Congress ends and in recess. After which I need to be reappointed," Dizon said.

Dizon also expressed willingness to leave the department if Marcos’ interpretation of his appointment is confirmed, citing the difficulty of his current post.

"Permission to speak frankly. Ma'am, this is music to my ears kasi medyo ayoko na rin pong nandito ako eh, so gusto ko na pong wala ako dito. Okay na po ito, masaya pa po ako," Dizon said.

"To be quite frank, it would be very welcome kung totoo po 'yung sinasabi ninyo na hindi na ako secretary ng DPWH. I will be more than happy to accept that kasi napakahirap po ng trabaho na to," he added.

Marcos brought up the matter after following up on a letter of inquiry she sent Dizon’s office on September 2. She said she had yet to receive a response within the seven-day period provided under the Administrative Code.

Dizon assumed the DPWH post on September 1, 2025, replacing Manuel Bonoan, who resigned amid public scrutiny over the flood control controversy. Dizon had previously been Transportation secretary but was transferred to the DPWH to undertake what President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. described as a "full organizational sweep" of the department.