Dev Flores

Dizon hints at ‘big fish’ to face charges in Bulacan

A “big fish” in Bulacan will face charges over a flood control anomaly, according to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon on June 3, 2026.

“Meron ng mga bagong kasong finile nitong nakaraan, meron pang mga padating na kaso. In  fact, tomorrow meron ulit ifa-file sa Bulacan naman. Hintayin niyo na lang kung sino kasi malaking isda din.,” he said

[“New cases were already filed previously, and more will come. In fact, tomorrow, another one will be filed in Bulacan. Just wait, who it is because it’s a big fish. Just wait for it tomorrow.”]

While the Secretary did not identify the more related details on that day, he made it clear that the complaint will be officially filed in the Malolos Regional Trial Court.

Dizon added that the filing of complaints remains continuous, but emphasized that those must be supported by strong evidence. He noted that he understands the public’s appeal to hold those involved in the flood control scandal accountable, but they have to consider complete information and evidence in filing complaints. 

“Alam mo paulit-ulit sinabi ng Pangulo, kung saan dadalhin tayo ng ebidensya doon tayo pupunta,” Dizon said

[“You know, this is what the President has repeatedly said, we will go wherever the evidence takes us.”]

The revelation of ‘big fish’

According to DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, the ‘big fish’ that he is talking about are Sarah Discaya and Curlee Discaya. Nine other officials and personnel from DPWH Bulacan 1st District are also included in the complaint.

“Yung Discaya parang Napoles yan dito sa flood control scam. Talagang malaking isda yan. At 2016 palang, nag-ooperate na sila. Bilyong-bilyong piso ang kanilang nakalap. Ang kanilang ninakaw,” Dizon said

[“The Discayas are like the Napoloes, here in the flood control scam. They are truly big fish. They have been operating since 2016, where they got billions of pesos.”]

Recently, the Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano and DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon filed a malversation complaint against the Discaya couple and the nine others. According to Dizon, this is linked to the substandard flood control project in Barangay Bulusan, Calumpit, Bulacan, amounting to almost 54 million pesos.

This is a developing story

With reports from Asher Cadapan Jr. and Nestor Torres

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) admitted that the timeline will be tight if the special election is officially held to fill the vacant seat of expelled Cavite 4th district Representative Kiko Barzaga.

According to COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin Garcia, the poll body has only a grace period of at least 60 days but not more than 90 days from the declaration of vacancy to the lower chamber.

“At tayo po'y binigyan lamang ng ating saligang batas ng hindi po maaga nang animnapung (60) araw at hindi po lalampas sa siyamnapung (90) araw matapos ang pagkakaroon ng pagbakante diyan sa mababang kapulungan. Nangangahulugan ang animnapung (60) araw po ay August 2 and 90 days naman po, siyamnapung araw ay September 2.” he explained

[“Our Constitution only gives us not earlier than sixty (60) days and not longer than ninety (90) days after the vacancy in the lower house. This means the 60-day mark falls on August 2, while the 90-day is on September 2.”]

Because of this, Garcia said that the election could likely take place on August 22 or 29 if the 60-day window timeframe is used as a basis.

“Kung kaya naman base sa inisyal na usapan natin, maaaring isagawa natin ang halalan kung hindi po August 22 ay maaari gawin natin ito ng August 29,”

[Therefore, based on our initial discussions, we might hold an election on either August 22 or August 29.”]

He also hopes that it won't extend to September, as the Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election is scheduled in the same month, followed by the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) election in November.

“Pero dapat hindi po sana ito papasok sa buwan ng September sapagkat diyan na po kasi yung ating pong Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election ng September 14 at syempre yung ating barangay and SK election naman ng November 2.”

[“But we hope this does not fall in the month of September because that is when we have Bangsamoro Parliamentary Election on September 14 and of course our barangay SK election on November 2.”]

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has confirmed that a special election will be held in Cavite, following the expulsion of Representative Kiko Barzaga.

According to COMELEC Chairman George Erwin Garcia, a special election is needed because the vacancy occurred more than a year before 2028 elections.

“Tayo po ay nasa labas pa ng isang taon bago ang susunod na halalan ng 2028. Kung kaya naman kung tutuusin parang lumalabas kakailanganin talaga nating mag-hold ng special election,” Garcia said

[“We are still over a year away from the next elections in 2028. Therefore, it appears we will really need to hold a special election.”]

However, Garcia admitted that the estimated budget to conduct a special poll in the 4th district in Cavite will take ₱200 million.

“Sa kasalukuyan, more or less, base sa ating inisyal na pagtatantsa, mukhang gagastos po ang COMELEC ng mga ₱200 million para maisagawa ang halalan sa nag-iisang distrito ng Dasmariñas, Cavite. Ang diyan po kasi sa Dasmariñas, ang kabuuan ng voting population o yung botante ay 437,730,”

[“Recently, more or less, based on our initial estimates, it seems like the COMELEC will spend ₱200 million to conduct the election in just one district in Dasmariñas, Cavite. This is because the total voting population in Dasmariñas is 437,730.”]

Garcia noted that the ₱200 million budget is higher than the nearly ₱98 million spent during the special election in Antipolo, following the passing of the late Antipolo 2nd district Representative Romeo Acop. He also clarified that the voting population is also lower (almost 200,000), which also affects the amount of budget needed at that time.

Lead Public Prosecutor and Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro hopes that the ongoing conflict between the Senate’s majority and minority bloc won’t affect the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

According to Luistro, the House prosecution panel has not yet received any notices from the Senate impeachment court.

She emphasized that regardless of the conflict, the Senate must remember their constitional duty to the public.

“Sana walang spill over dito sa impeachment trial. I hope that regardless of the situations happening in the Senate, I hope they will be reminded that this is one of our constitutional duties to the sovereign Filipino people,” she said

[“I hope there is no spillover here into the impeachment trial. I hope that regardless of the situations happening in the Senate, I hope they will be reminded that this is one of our constitutional duties to the sovereign Filipino people.”]

She also noted that the impeachment proceedings should not be delayed and must be faced forthwith.

“There is no option to stop. There is no option to delay. The only option is trial forthwith,” she added

With reports from Rosalie Coz

The Philippines’ outstanding debt eased slightly to ₱18.47 trillion as of April 2026, according to the report issued by the Bureau of Treasury (BTr).

This represents a 0.09% decrease, equivalent to ₱17.54 billion, from the recorded debt of ₱18.49 trillion as of March 2026.

“The National Government (NG) total outstanding debt eased to P18.47 trillion as of end-April 2026, reflecting a 0.09% decrease (P17.54 billion) from the end-March level of P18.49 trillion,” they said

According to the BTr, the government’s repayment of domestic securities was the primary factor behind the drop.

“The decline in debt was primarily driven by the government’s repayment of domestic securities, which more than offset the impact of peso depreciation against the US dollar on foreign currency-denominated obligations,” according to the bureau