After filing multiple complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon now plans to freeze the bank accounts, properties, and other assets of DPWH officials and contractors allegedly behind ghost and substandard flood control projects in Bulacan.
Among those targeted are former DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara, Assistant District Engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez, and Sarah Discaya, owner of St. Timothy Construction Corporation. Their lavish lifestyles and frequent gambling have already drawn criticism during several congressional hearings.
“I will meet with the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) sa Lunes para mai-discuss na natin ang possible freezing and later on, forfeiture of assets ng mga involved dito, yung bilyon ang pinag-uusapan natin dito,” Dizon said.
He also vowed that the DPWH will enforce warranty claims against contractors behind abandoned or defective flood control projects.
“Hahabulin natin ang lahat ng bonds, lahat ng warranties and securities na nasa kontrata ng mga kontraktor na ito,” Dizon stressed.
He added, “In-inform ako na para sa mga structure tulad ng flood control, 5 years pwede silang habulin, meaning may warranty dapat yan, at kailangan palitan ng buo kapag sira.”
Justice Secretary Boying Remulla likewise confirmed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is preparing additional charges against those involved in the anomalous projects.
“Ngayon, the NBI is giving me findings already, titingnan namin kung kaya (ang) plunder, we’ll see, malversation sigurado,” Remulla said.
Meanwhile, Alcantara and the so-called “Bulacan Group of Contractors” or “BGC Boys,” as tagged by Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson, were summoned by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to explain why their licenses should not be revoked after allegedly using them as fake IDs to gain entry to casinos.