Manila: Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon has officially filed a referral for investigation and potential criminal charges against government officials and private entities implicated in irregular infrastructure projects within the Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office (DEO). The referral was submitted to Acting Ombudsman Dante Vargas and includes a special audit report dated August 25 from the DPWH's Internal Audit Service (IAS) concerning flood control projects managed by the Bulacan 1st DEO.
According to Philippines News Agency, the audit report scrutinizes three firms: Wawao Builders from Quezon City, SYMS Construction Trading from Malolos, Bulacan, and St. Timothy Construction Corporation from Pasig City. The report, in conjunction with a fraud audit report from the Commission on Audit, details audit and technical findings that suggest irregularities in the execution of government infrastructure projects, specifically in Calumpit town and Baliwag City. These findings are alleged to involve the aforementioned construction firms and their corporate officers.
In a related development, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has reaffirmed its commitment to thoroughly investigate these alleged ghost projects. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla emphasized the department's impartiality and adherence to the law, stating that no political motivations will influence the investigation. He also mentioned discussions with Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chair Rodante Marcoleta about the potential for Pacifico "Curlee" and Cezarah Rowena "Sarah" Discaya to serve as state witnesses. The Discayas are associated with multiple contracting firms involved in the flood control projects.
The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has resumed its inquiry into the alleged anomalies. The Discayas have accused government officials and lawmakers of demanding a share of the funding for awarded projects and have denied any involvement in ghost projects. They detailed how they were coerced into providing between 10 and 25 percent of project costs to secure contracts and avoid project delays, often resulting in financial losses despite their compliance with DPWH standards.
The Discayas have named several officials and lawmakers in their affidavit, including former Undersecretary of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Terrence Calatrava, and various representatives from different regions. They also implicated DPWH Regional Director Eduarte Virgilio, Unified Project Management Office Director Ramon Arriola III, Undersecretary Robert Bernardo, and several district engineers.
The couple expressed their willingness to act as state witnesses and requested protection for their family from the Blue Ribbon Committee and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as they continue to expose these irregularities and seek justice.
