PCAB exec director resigns amid probe into flood control anomalies

Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) Executive Director Atty. Herbert Matienzo resigned on September 3 for personal reasons, confirmed by Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Maria Cristina Roque.

PCAB board members Engineers Arthur Escalante and Ernie Baggao also resigned, with Escalante's term having expired and Baggao citing personal reasons.

The resignations follow an investigation into alleged anomalies in flood control projects and PCAB's handling of contractor licenses, with Matienzo and Baggao allegedly embroiled in a bribery controversy.

PCAB revoked the licenses of nine construction companies linked to Sarah Discaya, a key figure in the flood control project investigation, through a resolution signed by PCAB Chairman Pericles Dakay.

Secretary Roque, who now directly supervises both the Construction Industry Association of the Philippines (CIAP) and PCAB, stated that Matienzo has pledged cooperation with the ongoing probe.

The DTI will further scrutinize other contractors involved in questionable government projects, particularly flood control.

A replacement for Matienzo has been identified, but an official statement is pending Malacañang's directive, as PCAB board members are presidential appointees.