Dizon, Lopez swap posts

Confirming earlier reports, Vince Dizon has been appointed secretary of the Department of Transportation (DoTr), while Giovanni “Banoy” Lopez will head the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Presidential Communications Office acting Secretary Lino Cayetano said Monday.

Dizon’s transfer comes after Senator Panfilo Lacson warned him last month against covering up flood control controversies, particularly an investigation he initiated into a project in Taguig City involving Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano.

During a press briefing Monday, Lino Cayetano, the senator’s younger brother, stressed that the reshuffle had nothing to do with politics, saying President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. makes decisions based on what is best for the Filipino people.

“The President makes decisions based on what is best for the Filipino people. That is how our President operates. He is not the type to make statements just to grab headlines. He seeks broad solutions to our problems. When he makes decisions, he looks at how we can change the system so that solutions will not only work today but also endure in the long term. This is what we want at the DPWH and the DoTr,” Cayetano said.

Sources, however, said the Dizon-Lopez swap was linked to Dizon’s alleged failure to aggressively pursue allegations surrounding a flood control project involving Sen. Cayetano.

Kaldero issue

Political analyst and University of Santo Tomas political science department head Dennis Coronacion said that while the reassignment was the President’s prerogative, the public had different views on the move.

“The administration’s official reason for the swap is that it wants both officials back in the departments they know best. But behind the scenes, there is considerable talk about other possible reasons. People are speculating that the move could be tied to allegations about Secretary Dizon’s past involvement in the controversial Caldera project with Senator Alan Peter Cayetano,” Coronacion said in an interview.

He added that others believe Dizon’s reformist image might clash with the administration’s plans for infrastructure spending in next year’s budget.

“Right now, that is just political speculation. As for the continuity of both departments’ projects, I don’t expect major delays because this is simply an exchange between two insiders who are already familiar with these departments,” he said.

Shifting gears

Cayetano said the President described the reshuffle as a move to accelerate reforms.

“We are shifting gears to accelerate reform. Secretary Dizon is returning to the DoTr to address daily commuting woes, while Secretary Lopez is taking over the DPWH to ensure that reforms there are sustained. All of this is intended to make government services faster and more convenient for our fellow Filipinos,” Cayetano quoted the President as saying.