The Office of the Ombudsman has cleared former Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president and CEO Vince Dizon of graft and malversation complaints related to the 2019 Southeast Asian Games infrastructure projects, dismissing the case in 2021 for lack of sufficient evidence.
In a resolution issued in December 2021, the Ombudsman found no legal basis to pursue the complaints against Dizon, effectively clearing him of personal liability in connection with the projects.
The dismissal followed an official investigation in which Dizon cooperated with authorities by submitting procurement records and financial documents related to the ₱8.51-billion New Clark City sports complex.
Records show the Ombudsman’s review focused on the BCDA infrastructure projects, which it found were undertaken in accordance with the law. The agency concluded that the evidence did not support graft or malversation charges against Dizon.
The resolution also distinguished the BCDA’s infrastructure projects from issues involving the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), a separate entity responsible for organizing the games and handling operational expenses.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano has affirmed the validity of the 2021 resolution, saying the complaints against Dizon were thoroughly investigated before being dismissed for lack of merit.
“The case filed against Sec. Vince Dizon…regarding the construction of the sports facilities for the 2019 SEA Games has been dismissed for insufficiency of evidence,” he said.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro likewise said Dizon underwent a comprehensive vetting process, fully cooperated with investigators and was cleared of wrongdoing.
The Department of Justice has also recognized the Ombudsman’s resolution, explaining that the National Bureau of Investigation‘s renewed inquiry concerns PHISGOC’s operations rather than the BCDA or the New Clark City sports complex.
