Cebu: The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday announced that 20 officials and employees from the Department of Public Works and Highways Cebu 3rd District Engineering Office (DEO) are facing criminal complaints. These charges, filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Cebu District Office, pertain to alleged irregularities in two flood control projects.

According to Philippines News Agency, the charges include illegal use of public funds and property, malversation of public funds, perjury, falsification of public documents, and violations of procurement law. The projects in question are located in Barangay Singsing in Balamban, a region known as the country's shipbuilding capital with a population of about 100,000.

In a press briefing, DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez emphasized that the complaints are currently at the preliminary investigation stage. "The department wishes to stress that these are complaints for purposes of preliminary investigation at this stage. Preliminary investigation only. So, no conclusive finding has been made yet," Martinez stated.

Martinez further explained that the respondents will have the opportunity to submit a counter-affidavit to challenge the evidence against them before the Department of Justice makes a decision on the complaints. These actions are part of a larger investigation into anomalies related to flood control.

He added, "Should further complaints be filed, whether by the NBI or any law enforcement agency, this office will evaluate them under applicable rules and procedures."