TARLAKENYO — The new Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Giovanni shook things up early as he relieved Tarlac 1st District Engineering Office (DEO) District Engineer Hermon Ines amid swirling corruption allegations.
The DPWH announced the decisive move on social media, confirming that Lopez signed relief orders for Ines and three other District Engineers. Investigators flagged Ines following mounting allegations of corruption within the district. Attempts by reporters to reach Ines for comment proved futile.
Lopez also ordered the relief of Cotabato 3rd DEO Engineer Saidale Mitmug over parallel corruption allegations, Apayao 2nd DEO Officer-in-Charge District Engineer Clifton Valencerina over extortion claims, and Lanao del Norte 2nd DEO District Engineer Amron Mitmug for certifying ghost or unimplementable projects in the National Expenditure Program.
The Public Works Secretary vowed that the strict “one-strike policy” established by former Secretary Vince Dizon remains in full force. Officials caught engaging in questionable activities face immediate investigation and removal.
The sudden removal of Ines casts a harsh spotlight back on the Tarlac 1st DEO, which has faced chronic leadership turbulence. Ines’ predecessor, Neil Farala, was relieved from his post late last year and transferred to Region 4-B as Assistant Regional Director. He was unceremoniously sacked again weeks later by Dizon on January 12, 2026.
