Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon on Friday, October 17, confirmed that Undersecretary Arrey Perez has tendered his irrevocable resignation, following allegations raised by Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste regarding Perez’s supposed “questionable history” in procurement during his stint at the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).
Dizon, speaking to reporters, said he immediately confronted Perez after learning that Leviste had publicly named him during a House press conference.
The Secretary said Perez “voluntarily resigned” to avoid becoming a distraction to the department’s reform efforts.
“Kinausap ko agad-agad si Undersecretary Ariel Perez, at sinabi ko sa kanya na ni-name ka ni Congressman Leviste,” Dizon said.
“Sinabi niya sa akin, unang-una, wini-welcome niya ‘yun, pero ayaw niyang makasagabal at ayaw niyang maging distraction ito… at siya ay nag-tender ng irrevocable resignation. At ito, siyempre, ay tinanggap ko na. So, as of today, hindi na po parte si Undersecretary Perez sa DPWH,” he added.
Dizon, who previously worked with Perez at the BCDA, said he respected Perez’s decision and acknowledged his years of service both in the private sector and in government.
“May delicadeza siya. May dignidad siya. Hindi siya kapit-tuko. Siya na mismo ang nagkusa,” Dizon said, adding that Perez had been part of his team since his days in BCDA and had also worked for Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation.
Despite the resignation, Dizon emphasized that the investigation into Perez’s case will proceed.
“Siyempre, ‘yung imbestigasyon, tuloy pa rin ‘yun… hindi porket na nag-resign eh hindi natin iimbestigahan. Lahat ‘yan kailangan imbestigahan,” he said.
The DPWH chief stressed that the administration’s anti-corruption campaign, ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., is rooted in “facts and transparency,” not rumor or speculation.
“Ang ating krusada ay base sa dalawang bagay: facts and transparency. Hindi tayo pwedeng maglinis ng DPWH kung ang magiging basehan ng ating gagawin ay haka-haka, rumor, o sabi-sabi,” Dizon said.
Dizon also rejected insinuations that Perez was already being considered to head procurement at the DPWH Central Office, saying such a reorganization had yet to be finalized.
“Unang-una, hindi totoo ‘yun… wala pa akong tinatagamba,” he clarified. “Pag-uusapan pa lang namin sa strat planning.”
The DPWH chief also said the agency will continue its internal reforms alongside the ongoing probe by the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI).
“Utos ng Pangulo, direktiba sa atin, top-to-bottom cleanse,” he said. “Whether dati, dating administrasyon, dati nang nandiyan, nag-resign, nandiyan pa rin — including the people that I have personally brought in — wala tayong sinisino dito.”
