MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has officially confirmed that the long-running graft case against DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon regarding the building of sports complexes for the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games was thrown out back in 2021. This key update clears the air as the public and media look into older public projects. It proves that the accusations against DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, who was leading the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) when the games took place, were dismissed years ago due to a lack of evidence.
With the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) starting a fresh look into the bidding and funds of the 2019 SEA Games, this news brings some clarity. Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano told reporters that the complaint against the former BCDA chief, who now serves as the Department of Public Works and Highways chief, was fully cleared in December 2021.
Vince Dizon, then-president of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA).. Source: Philstar.com
The Official Ombudsman Records
For years, the massive building projects in New Clark City were a major point of debate. Critics questioned the speed and budget of the sports complex, which was built to host athletes from all over Southeast Asia. However, the official files show that the legal side of this issue has been resolved for a long time.
“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,” Assistant Ombudsman Clavano said.
This decision from December 2021 shows that the complaints against DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon did not hold up under legal scrutiny. The anti-graft office found no proof of bad practice, bid-rigging, or financial misuse in the joint venture agreements handled by the BCDA under his leadership. The ruling gave DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon a clean record well before he took on his current role at the DPWH.
Malacañang Backs the Dismissal
Palace officials have also spoken up to confirm these findings. During a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro made it clear that the government is fully aware that DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon was cleared of these old charges.
“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 told reporters. (As far as we know, Secretary Vince Dizon was investigated during that time regarding that issue. He was investigated, the investigation pushed through, and he was acquitted.)
The Palace’s statement aims to separate DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon from any new political debates or ongoing reviews. By showing that he was cleared through a proper, formal legal process, the administration wants to ensure his work today at the DPWH is not disrupted by past issues that have already been settled.
The sports facilities at New Clark City built under Dizon’s BCDA tenure.. Source: Gary Tyson / Getty Images for SEA Games
Two Different Legal Paths
The confirmation of the 2021 dismissal comes at a time of rising political tension. NBI Director Melvin Matibag recently announced that the bureau is starting a new investigation into how the 2019 SEA Games were funded and run. This move has caused some friction in government circles.
Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who was the chairman of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) during the event, has strongly criticized the NBI’s new probe. Cayetano, who also served as Speaker of the House during that period, argued that the investigation is being used as a political tool to pressure senators.
In response, Palace Press Officer Castro pointed out the difference between how DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon was cleared and how others were treated. She noted that while DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon went through a full investigation by the Ombudsman to prove his innocence, other officials were cleared by administrative decisions without a deep legal review.
“Sa ating pagkakaalam, hindi naimbestigahan sila Sen. Alan Cayetano, at the time ay Speaker of the House,” Castro explained. “Hindi naimbestigahan ‘yung ibang mga maaaring mabanggit dahil sa ating pagkakaalam, ang daiting Pangulong Duterte ay nilinis na agad si Sen. Alan Cayetano at the time kahit wala pang umaandar na pag-iimbestiga.” (As far as we know, Senator Alan Cayetano—who was the Speaker of the House at the time—was not investigated. Others who might have been implicated were also not investigated either, because, as far as we know, former President Duterte immediately cleared Senator Alan Cayetano even before any investigation was done.)
This difference is important for DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon. While some political figures rely on executive clearances, Dizon’s record was cleared through a formal legal process by the Ombudsman, the country’s main anti-graft body.
The Story Behind New Clark City
To understand why this matters, we have to look back at the build-up to the 2019 SEA Games. The event was a major moment of pride for the country, but it also required building world-class sports facilities in a very short time. The task of turning a former military area in Capas, Tarlac, into a modern sports hub fell to the BCDA, led by DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon.
The project was completed in record time, featuring a high-tech athletics stadium and an aquatic center. But the speed of the project led to questions from critics and political opponents, who claimed the bidding process was rushed and the joint venture terms favored developers.
The 2021 Ombudsman decision put an end to those claims. The court’s finding of “insufficiency of evidence” means that after looking at the contracts, financial files, and bidding documents, the investigators found no legal issues. For DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, this decision proved that the fast-tracked project followed all proper government rules.
Focus on Public Infrastructure
With his name cleared of these past issues, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon can focus on his current work. As head of the DPWH, he is responsible for some of the country’s most important transport and infrastructure projects.
Supporters of DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon argue that his experience in delivering complex projects quickly, like New Clark City, is exactly what the country needs. The confirmation that his past work was legally sound helps protect his current projects from being slowed down by political debates.
The DPWH is always under public scrutiny, as it handles billions of pesos in public funds for roads, bridges, and flood control. Having a leader whose record has been tested and cleared by the Ombudsman gives the department more stability. It allows DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon to push forward with new projects without the distraction of unresolved cases.
The Path Forward for the SEA Games Probe
While the case against DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon is settled, the wider discussion around the 2019 SEA Games is still active. The NBI’s new probe is likely to focus on other parts of the event, such as PHISGOC’s finances, private sponsorships, and operational budgets that did not go through the BCDA.
Government officials have assured the public that the new investigations are not meant to target anyone unfairly. The goal is simply to make sure all public funds spent on the event are fully accounted for. For DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, the 2021 resolution remains a solid legal shield, keeping his work at the DPWH separate from any new findings the NBI might uncover.
Ultimately, the story of the New Clark City sports complex shows how difficult it can be to build large-scale public projects under tight deadlines. While speed can often lead to suspicion, the legal clearing of DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon shows that it is possible to deliver major infrastructure projects quickly while still following the law.
As the country continues to build new roads, bridges, and public spaces, the lessons from the 2019 SEA Games will remain important. For DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, the focus is now entirely on the future, using his experience to deliver the next generation of public works for the Philippines.
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