SEA Games complaint vs DWPH chief Dizon dismissed for insufficient evidence

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday, July 16, said that the case against Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon concerning the construction of the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games sports facilities has already been dismissed due to insufficient evidence.

In a message to reporters, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the resolution dismissing the case against Dizon was “dismissed and contained” in a joint resolution in December 2021. 

“Upon checking the records of this case, it appears that the case filed against Sec. Vince Dizon, etc. regarding the construction of the sports facilities for the 2019 SEA Games has been dismissed for insufficiency of evidence. This is contained in a joint resolution issued back in December 2021,” Clavano said. 

The development took place after National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag revealed that the bureau is investigating alleged bidding and funding anomalies linked to the 2019 SEA Games projects.

Matibag said that the NBI will probe the matter because of newly surfaced information about alleged irregularities in the infrastructure projects, especially the New Clark City sports complex.

However, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, who previously chaired the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee, criticized the probe, claiming its true purpose was to pressure and intimidate members of the Senate impeachment court.

It could be recalled that during that time, Dizon was the president and chief executive officer of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), which oversaw the New Clark City sports complex construction.

In a separate press briefing, Palace Press Secretary Claire Castro also said that Dizon has been cleared of the charges against him over the 2019 SEA Games controversy.

“Sa ating pagkakaalam, naimbestigahan po si Secretary Vince Dizon noong mga panahon na ‘yun patungkol po diyan sa issue na ‘yan. Siya po ay naimbestigahan, umandar ‘yung pag-imbestiga, at siya po ay napawalang-sala,” Castro said in a Palace briefing.

(To our knowledge, Secretary Vince Dizon was indeed investigated during that time regarding that issue. He was investigated, the investigation proceeded, and he was ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing.)

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice said that it “respects” the mandate and authority of the NBI to conduct the probe.

“While the NBI is an attached agency of the department, it is given sufficient operational independence to perform its investigative functions as it deems appropriate under the law,” DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez told reporters.