GERONA, Tarlac (Dec. 12, 2025) – The publisher of the Tarlac Weekender newspaper has formally accused an official of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Tarlac District 1 of an “assault on press freedom,” following the denial of access for the paper’s routine complimentary distribution at the district office.
In a letter dated Dec. 10, 2025, and addressed to District Engineer Neil Farala, publisher Roldan Ramos detailed an incident that occurred on December 9.
A newspaper representative was reportedly barred at the guardhouse from distributing complimentary copies, a practice that had been sustained for several years. The guard, a certain Mark Hidaldo, cited direct instructions from Engr. Lenin Cabalu.
The letter explicitly links this denial to the paper’s recent critical coverage of DPWH District 1. “This censorship and/or assault on the press freedom was done since our paper for these past weeks has been critical of your administration,” Ramos wrote.
The Tarlac Weekender has recently published articles scrutinizing the district’s involvement in alleged anomalies surrounding flood control projects. This reporting comes amid heightened scrutiny of the agency, notably after the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) executed search warrants on December 5, 2025. One of the locations subject to a warrant was the Concepcion, Tarlac, residence of District Engineer Neil Farala, though the specific connection to the flood control allegations remains part of an ongoing investigation.
In his letter, Ramos urged Farala to “admonish Engr. Lenin Cabalu and remind him to not act as though the DPWH Office is his private property.”
The publisher also stated the newspaper’s intent to resume distribution the following week, in compliance with any official guidelines, while furnishing a copy of the complaint to DPWH Secretary Vivencio “Vince” Dizon.
As of now, Engr. Cabalu has not publicly responded to the allegations. The office of DE Farala has also yet to issue an official statement regarding the censorship claims or the status of the newspaper’s future access to the DPWH premises.
The incident raises concerns about transparency and the freedom of the press to report on government operations, particularly on matters of significant public interest such as infrastructure projects and alleged corruption.
