Manila: The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Thursday asked the Ombudsman to file charges against former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials and other individuals in connection with another ghost flood control project in Bulacan.

According to Philippines News Agency, the ICI's 19-page interim report cited 'illegalities and irregularities' in the implementation of the PHP74.1-million riverbank protection structure at Brgy. Carillo, Hagonoy, Bulacan by contractor Darcy and Anna Builders and Trading. An administrative complaint was recommended against former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan and former Undersecretaries Roberto Bernardo and Maria Catalina Cabral.

Meanwhile, complaints for graft, malversation, and falsification were recommended against former Bulacan First District Engineering Office officials Henry Alcantara, Brice Ericson Hernandez, Ernesto Galang, Jolo Mari Tayao, John Michael Ramos, Lemuel Ephraim Roque, and Darcy Kimel Respecio of Darcy and Anna Builders.

The ICI reported that payment was made to the contractor after the DPWH officials certified 100 percent cumulative accomplishment after the 8th month of the project. A technical inspection conducted at the site by the Commission on Audit, however, found that the project was never implemented.

"Based on the circumstances at hand, the DPWH public officials appear to have been grossly negligent, if not remiss, in the performance of their respective duties to ensure that the project was properly implemented and that government funds were properly disbursed," the ICI stated.