DPWH sec condoles with family of engineer who died by suicide

By Manuel T. Ugalde

PUBLIC Works Secretary Vivencio “Vince” Dizon has extended his condolences to the family of Engineer Larry Reyes of Sorsogon, who was found dead in an apparent suicide while an extensive investigation by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) continues to uncover anomalies in flood-control projects nationwide.

“Hihingi na lang po tayo ng privacy para sa pamilya dahil personal po kasi ‘yung sirkumstansya sa pagpakamatay ni Engineer Larry Reyes sa Sorsogon,” Dizon said in Filipino, requesting respect for the family’s grief.

Reyes, 60, served as administrative officer and Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) chairman of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Sorsogon 1st District Engineering Office. He was discovered by his family hanging at his home in Sorsogon City early morning of November 12, 2025.

Initial reports had mistakenly identified him under other names, but DPWH Bicol information officer Lucy Castañeda clarified that the victim was Reyes. She described him as a dedicated administrator battling diabetes and suggested that his health struggles may have contributed to his distress.

Sources close to the family said Reyes had been increasingly anxious following reports linking high-profile personalities to alleged irregularities in Sorsogon flood-control contracts. According to these sources, he had been rattled by ICI findings involving Senator Chiz Escudero and contractor Laurence Lubiano of Centerways Construction Corp., which reportedly secured ₱2.4 billion worth of flood-control projects in the province. Lubiano was earlier reported by the Commission on Elections to have contributed ₱30 million to Escudero’s 2022 campaign.

Escudero has also been mentioned in reports alleging the insertion of ₱142 billion in budget allocations for 2025, portions of which were linked to other senators embroiled in the ghost flood-control probe. President Marcos earlier identified Centerways Construction as among the top contractors allegedly involved in anomalous projects.

Another source claimed that, like many BAC chairpersons, Reyes had little control over awarding contracts, saying decisions often came from superiors and that “table bidding” remained widespread in regional and district engineering offices, especially for projects endorsed by lawmakers.

Dizon has repeatedly warned that numerous DPWH personnel face dismissal and criminal prosecution as the probe progresses. Ombudsman Crispin Remulla earlier confirmed that engineers, as well as implicated senators and congressmen, may soon face arrest warrants.

As of November 14, ICI reported that validated ghost flood-control projects had risen from an initial 412 to 472 out of 10,072 evaluated nationwide. Bicol reportedly received ₱49 billion worth of flood-control projects.

DPWH Bicol regional director Virgilio Eduarte earlier insisted that the region — despite being tagged among the most corruption-prone during the previous administration — remains free of ghost projects.