President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed former BCDA chief Vivencio “Vince” Bringas Dizon as the new Transportation Secretary on Thursday, replacing Jaime Bautista, who has resigned due to health reasons, Malacañang said.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, in a message to the media, said Bautista’s resignation will take effect on February 21, but Dizon can start coordinating with the outgoing team to prepare for the office turnover.
Bersamin said, “Vivencio ‘Vince’ Bringas Dizon is going to be the next Secretary of the Department of Transportation, effective February 21, 2025. He is already authorized by the Office of the President to start the transition at the DOTr in coordination with the team of Secretary Jaime Bautista, who has resigned due to health reasons.”
Dizon served in various capacities under the Duterte administration, including being head of BCDA (Bases Conversion and Development
Authority), presidential adviser on flagship program and projects, Deputy Chief Implementer of the National Action Plan Against Covid-19 (coronavirus), chief testing czar, and the chief coordinator of the Test, Trace, Treat Program.
He was a former consultant of then Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, and also served as undersecretary for Political Affairs of the Office of the President.
He was former chief of staff at the Office of the late Senator Edgardo Angara, and was the vice president for corporate communications at Strategic Alliance Holdings Inc. – Technologies.
Dizon earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree in Management of Financial Institutions from the De La Salle University.
Palace comments on Bautista’s health
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin yesterday said the health of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista was the main reason for his resignation, dismissing speculation that the latter was asked to step down due to unsatisfactory performance.
“The President and Secretary Bautista talked at length about his situation. There is no other consideration there except to allow Secretary Bautista to improve his health,” Bersamin said in an ambush interview.
He denied speculation that Bautista was asked to resign because some groups were not satisfied with the Secretary’s performance as the head of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
“Secretary Jimmy Bautista signified that he might need to rest because of health issues. And the President was always solicitous of the health of his Cabinet members. So, when the President and Secretary Bautista talked about it, it became clear to the President that Secretary Bautista may need to take a rest from official duties,” Bersamin said.
He said Bautista had asked to stay on until February 21 to wind down his activities and prepare for the transfer of DOTr helm to former Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) chief Vivencio “Vince” Dizon.
Bersamin, meanwhile, declined to comment on reports two other Cabinet members are set to resign.
“Well, I do not know yet … how true they are or if there is any basis. But usually, speculation is always there. E hindi naman namin pwedeng sabihin sa inyo unless, until na nangyari na yun because, you know, we do not have compelling reasons (Well, I do not know yet how true they are or if there is any basis. But usually, speculation is always there. We cannot tell you about it unless, until it happens because, you know, we do not have compelling reasons),” he said.
