Piston denounces Dizon’s reappointment as DOTr chief

MANILA, Philippines — The national president of transport group Piston, on Monday, denounced the reappointment of Vince Dizon as Department of Transportation (DOTr) secretary, saying the leadership reshuffle aims to push programs that will worsen the public transport system.

In a statement, Mody Floranda said that there is nothing worth celebrating about Dizon’s leadership reassignment.

“Walang dapat ipagdiwang sa pagbabalik ni Vince Dizon sa DOTr, na noong naupo ay nagtuloy at nagpatindi sa pagbebenta ng pampublikong serbisyo ng transportasyon sa mga negosyo, at nagwasak ng kabuhayan ng mga tsuper at operator,” Floranda said.

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(Vince Dizon’s return to the DOTr is not worth celebrating, as his leadership stint in the agency intensified the privatization of public transport and worsened the livelihoods of drivers and operators.)

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Malacañang on Monday announced that Dizon will be reassigned to lead the DOTr, a position he held from February 2025 to September 2025 before being appointed as secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). In the latest cabinet revamp, Giovanni “Banoy” Lopez, who currently heads the DOTr, will now serve as DPWH secretary.

READ: Dizon, Lopez swap agencies in latest Cabinet revamp

Floranda then described Dizon as the “number one agent” of the US, along with the administration of President Marcos.

“Tiyak na ipinwesto siya diyan para lalo pang itulak ang bulok at basurang programa ng World Bank Jeepney Phaseout, pribatisasyon ng MRT-3, at iba pang umaalingasaw na makanegosyo at makadayuhang programa ng gobyerno,” he added.

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(He was assigned there once again to ensure the plans to advance programs of World Bank Jeepney Phaseout, MRT-3 privatization, and other business- and foreign-inclined programs of the government.)

Floranda also shared that the transport group will launch protests to signify their opposition to Dizon’s reassignment.

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Dizon became the secretary of the DPWH in September 2025 amid the corruption the agency was facing in relation to flood control projects and other anomalies.

Quoting Marcos, Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Lino Cayetano said that the revamp aims to accelerate reforms, noting that Dizon “goes to the DOTr to fix the daily commute.”

The INQUIRER has sought Dizon’s comment regarding Floranda’s statement and has yet to receive a response.

Meanwhile, transport group Manibela’s chairperson Mar Valbuena welcomed Dizon’s return to the DOTr. Valbuena also thanked Lopez for his leadership in the agency.

READ: ‘Huwag na mag-strike’: Liza Marcos asks transport leader at aid event

“Malugod nating tinatanggap ang muling pagkakatalaga at pagbabalik ni Sec Vince Dizon sa DOTr at maipagpatuloy ang mga programang makakatulong sa hanay ng transportasyong pampubliko man o pribado,” Valbuena said in a separate statement.

(We warmly welcome Sec Vince Dizon’s return to the DOTr to continue programs for the transport sector, whether for the public or private sectors.)

“Kaisa tayo sa magagandang programa ng DOTr ngunit mananatili rin tayong matinding kritiko sa mga hindi naaayon sa kapakanan ng bayan, lalo na sa transportasyon,” he added.

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(We support the programs of the DOTr, but we will remain a critic for the sake of the country, especially the transportation [sector].) /cb