The Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed Tuesday, August 4, that criminal complaints have been filed against 20 officials and employees from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Cebu regarding two alleged flood control project anomalies.
According to DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez, private individuals were also implicated for allegedly conspiring with DPWH Cebu 3rd District Engineering Office personnel to manipulate the bidding and execution of flood control works in Barangay Singing, Balamban.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) lodged two separate complaints detailing seven charges against the group, including malversation, illegal use of public funds, perjury, falsification of public documents, and procurement law violations.
“The Department wishes to stress that these are complaints for the purposes of preliminary investigation only. No conclusive findings has been made yet,” Martinez said.
“We would like to remind the public that the complaints form part of the broader inqury into flood control anomalies in the country,” he added.
The NBI-led probe stems from a nationwide review of flood control schemes highlighted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his previous State of the Nation Address. High-ranking officials previously linked to the broader investigation include former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan and Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, along with Bulacan DPWH staff and at least three senators, including the currently detained Senator Jinggoy Estrada.
The DOJ noted last week that approximately ₱841 million in surrendered kickbacks has been recovered so far.
Martinez assured that all respondents will receive due process to submit their counter-affidavits during the preliminary investigation.