Try GOLD - Free
Philippines vows to dismantle graft ring in public works unit
The Straits Times
|December 11, 2025
The Philippines will move to dismantle the “syndicate” that pilfered public funds while ramping up infrastructure spending early in 2026 to revive the economy, according to a key Cabinet official.
-
The Department of Public Works and Highways will cleanse its ranks to ensure the corruption scandal it is currently embroiled in will not happen again, Secretary Vince Dizon said.
“This syndicate has been here for so long,” he said in a Dec 9 interview. “That’s why it’s very hard to destroy this syndicate - it’s from top to bottom — but we have to do it.”
More than a dozen personnel at the department have been charged or arrested, while former senior agency officials have been recommended for case buildups, he said.
Investigations are ongoing, with Mr Dizon expecting that criminal cases will be filed against a “minimum” of 100 agency officials.
This story is from the December 11, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Straits Times
The Straits Times
JULIA'S DRAMATIC GOLDEN DEBUT
14-year-old told only 20min before record 4x100m medley that she was replacing Levenia
3 mins
December 17, 2025
The Straits Times
About 1 in 6 families on ComLink+ scheme faced violence at home
About one in six lower-income families on a national scheme to support them in improving their lives faced violence at home.
4 mins
December 17, 2025
The Straits Times
European leaders propose Europe-led Ukraine peace force
Zelensky hails 'real progress' on security guarantees, but land issue a sticking point
3 mins
December 17, 2025
The Straits Times
Son mourns death of his mum – an Indonesian helper – in Hong Kong fire
Family in Indonesia still waiting to receive the helper's remains to perform last rites
4 mins
December 17, 2025
The Straits Times
S'pore stocks edge lower ahead of key US data; STI down 0.2%
Singapore stocks ended lower on Dec 16, ahead of a slate of US economic data due later in the day.
1 mins
December 17, 2025
The Straits Times
S’pore fintech firm Aspire secures licences in Europe, US, Australia
Aspire, a Singapore-headquartered fintech company, has secured licences to operate in Australia, Europe and the United States as customers here increasingly seek overseas expansion.
2 mins
December 17, 2025
The Straits Times
UK-Singapore partnership • Value of open trade exemplified
This week marks one year since the United Kingdom joined the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
1 min
December 17, 2025
The Straits Times
Jeon Do-yeon discovers facial expressions she never knew she had
SEOUL - The Price Of Confession, launched on Dec 5 as one of Netflix Korea’s year-end tentpole projects, is a propulsive thriller engineered for uninterrupted bingeing.
2 mins
December 17, 2025
The Straits Times
US police renew their manhunt for university shooter
Residents near Brown University back on edge as 'person of interest' is released
3 mins
December 17, 2025
The Straits Times
Coming face to face with war in a wildlife sanctuary
A Singaporean public health expert and his family were volunteering in Cambodia when a Thai jet attacked. He recounts the suffering of the locals.
6 mins
December 17, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size