Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon announced on Monday that Undersecretary Rico Bernabe will be the department’s official spokesperson for legal matters, with his formal designation to be issued in the coming days.
“From now on, for legal issues and concerns of the department, we will be appointing an official spokesperson for all legal questions and matters for DPWH. That will be Undersecretary Rico Bernabe,” Dizon said during a press conference.
He added that the designation is intended to ensure consistency, clarity, and accountability in handling legal issues, particularly amid ongoing internal and external probes involving the agency.
As legal spokesperson, Bernabe will address matters involving investigations of DPWH officials, cases before the Office of the Ombudsman, and inquiries involving other government agencies, including the Department of Justice and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure.
Bernabe is a lawyer among several senior officials brought into the department by Dizon in 2025 as part of reform efforts amid allegations of widespread corruption.
Before joining DPWH, Bernabe served as a commissioner of the National Police Commission. Additionally, he worked as undersecretary for strategic action and response at the Office of the Executive Secretary, overseeing the Presidential Complaint Center and the 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center.
He also served as an ex-officio board member of the Career Executive Service Board and previously worked in the private sector as associate general counsel of San Miguel Corporation.
