A graft complaint was filed on April 22, 2025, against top officials of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) under the Department of Agriculture, along with a joint venture between two private shipbuilding companies, over an allegedly irregular bidding process involving government contracts worth P2.165 billion.
The complaint was lodged by Atty. Fay Singson, a prominent advocate for transparency and accountability in public service. She cited personal knowledge as a concerned citizen and observer of the BFAR Special Bids and Awards Committee’s (SBAC) procurement of various fishing vessels in 2024.
Named as principal respondents in the complaint are Isidro M. Velayo Jr., former Officer-in-Charge of BFAR and now Assistant Director for Technical Services, and Zaldy P. Perez, Chairperson of the SBAC and currently the Assistant Director for Administrative and Other Support Services. The SBAC was created under Special Order No. 1470, s. 2024, issued by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
Also listed as respondents are SBAC members Ida Capicio, Imelda Calixto, Sonia Somga, and Atty. Felizardo Pulumbarit; members of the Technical Working Group and Secretariat Joeren Yleana, Engr. Francis Acel Cabrera, Ma. Teresa Duguiles, Pierre Easter Velasco, Isidro Tanangonan, Capt. Neil Valdez, Robert Cana, Ada Korina Togonon, Rene Zaldy Porlaje, and Jennifer Viron.
From the private sector, the complaint names Pauline Ngo, President and CEO of the joint venture between Dynacast Shipbuilding and Repairs, Inc. and Dynamic Power & Marine Industrial Hardware, Inc., as well as Gelanie Baydal, the firm’s authorized representative.
The complaint alleges violations of several laws, including Republic Act No. 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act), Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), Republic Act No. 6770 (Ombudsman Act of 1989), and Executive Order No. 292 (Administrative Code of 1987). The respondents are accused of both criminal and administrative liabilities.
“I felt compelled to file this case to safeguard government resources and uphold public interest. Corrupt officials must be held accountable, both criminally and administratively,” said Singson, a former senior official at the Office of the Ombudsman.
Singson further claimed that the joint venture failed to disclose its ongoing projects with BFAR in its Statement of Ongoing Government Projects, which she says constitutes the submission of false information—a violation punishable under Section 65 of RA 9184. Despite this, the SBAC did not disqualify the joint venture and proceeded with awarding it a Php526 million contract.
The complaint also cites several other alleged violations that were ignored by the respondents, which, according to Singson, indicates a clear case of collusion and conspiracy to favor the joint venture in the awarding of fishing vessel projects.