Manila: The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has called upon the Office of the Ombudsman to conduct an investigation into former officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) concerning a PHP72 million ghost flood control project in Plaridel, Bulacan.
According to Philippines News Agency, the ICI's Interim Report, presented by chairperson Andres Reyes Jr., pinpointed the project as the Riverbank Protection Structure in Barangay Bagong Silang. It was revealed that this project was constructed at an incorrect site and deemed substandard. The report has recommended that former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan and former undersecretaries Roberto Bernardo and Maria Catalina Cabral be investigated for potential breaches of Republic Act No. 6713, which covers the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
The ICI also urged the Ombudsman to consider filing charges against former DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office District Engineer Henry Alcantara, Assistant District Engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez, Ernesto Galang, Jaypee Mendoza, John Michael Ramos, Irene Ontingco, Joshua Blitz Roxas, and Bernardo Villafuerte. These charges could include malversation and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, as well as the Government Procurement Reform Act.
Additionally, Eumir Villanueva, along with corporate officers and board members of Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc., the project's contractor, were named in the report. The ICI discovered a complete absence of any work or structure at the site specified in the approved bid plans and contract, suggesting significant discrepancies in the project's execution.
The report highlighted that the scheme could not have been executed without the 'participation or gross inexcusable negligence' of certain public officials and private individuals. This involved securing funding, facilitating the project's award, and fulfilling the necessary post-audit requirements.
The ICI report criticized Secretary Bonoan for failing to exercise diligence in overseeing the use of public funds, which resulted in what was described as a plunder of public resources. The report also emphasized that Bernardo and Cabral were deeply aware of the senior DPWH officials' activities and were responsible for the efficient management of funds entrusted to the DPWH.
Furthermore, the ICI noted that other individuals were accountable for inaccuracies in the Certificate of Completion's content.
