Undersecretary Arrey Perez resigns following Congressman Leandro Leviste’s exposé.

Batangas Representative Leandro Legarda Leviste identified Undersecretary Arrey Perez as allegedly one of the members of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon’s team who had connections or communicated with contractors.

This came almost simultaneously with Dizon’s announcement that Perez had resigned from his position at the DPWH.

In a radio interview, Leviste declined to provide full details of Perez’s alleged connections with contractors and stated that it would be better if Dizon conducted an investigation to uncover the truth.

“I heard that he was supposedly going to handle the procurement or bidding of major projects at the DPWH Central Office,” Leviste said.

“And I’m not saying that there will be kickbacks exchanged with this individual or that individual, but it’s really difficult to avoid corruption in the DPWH when you’re newly appointed as an undersecretary. I’m sure many contractors are already approaching you, even if you’re not the one reaching out to them. Even if you’re not asking, they might be offering something,” the congressman added.

Leviste also revealed that he has information from a DPWH official and that he could name others.

“Actually sir, I can name names of others… During the press briefing, I received a phone call from another high-ranking member of the DPWH, and I don’t want to name other members of his team or disclose other things I’ve heard about their conversations with contractors and the allegation that contractors have deeper connections with them. But Secretary Dizon said he would check the members of his team, and my additional request is that they make public the details of which contractors they have spoken with,” the lawmaker further stated.

At a press conference on Friday, October 17, Dizon announced that Perez had resigned from the DPWH.

Dizon accepted Perez’s irrevocable resignation after Leviste named him as one of the DPWH officials allegedly connected to contractors.

Although Perez has resigned, Dizon insisted that the DPWH will continue investigating the allegations against him to ensure transparency and accountability in the agency.