Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon on Thursday filed corruption cases against 20 personnel of the Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office (DEO) and four private contractors before the Office of the Ombudsman.
The charges include violations of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, malversation of public funds under the Revised Penal Code, Republic Act 9184, and other related laws.
Among those charged were former Bulacan 1st DEO district engineer Henry Alcantara, former assistant district engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez, and 18 other officials and staff from various sections of the district office. Contractors named in the cases include Sally Santos of SYMS Construction Trading, Mark Allan Arevalo of Wawao Builders, Ma. Roma Angeline Rimando with beneficial owner Cezarah Rowena Discaya of St. Timothy Construction Corporation, and Robert Imperio of IM Construction Corporation.
Dizon said the filing of cases was in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to hold accountable those behind anomalies in flood control projects.
“This is what our President said. Over and over again, starting from his SONA, to his numerous inspections on the ground. Everyone who needs to be held accountable should be held accountable. Even if they are his acquaintances, his friends, his allies, everyone should be held accountable. This is just the beginning while the Independent Commission that our President is yet to establish does not exist,” Dizon said.
“We will all get the justice that we all deserve as Filipinos. The President has assured us of that, and this is proof of that. Within 10 days, we will not enter the DPWH, the President said, ‘hurry up.’ This is it, we are expediting it. And this is just the first of many more cases to come,” he added.
Dizon also urged the public to report anomalous projects or erring DPWH officials.
Meanwhile, the DPWH chief suspended the use of office uniforms for personnel amid the ongoing probe, saying the move aims to protect employees from possible bullying and harassment.
“All officials of the DPWH are nevertheless expected to report for duty in appropriate and presentable attire at all times,” Dizon said in a Sept. 9 memorandum made public Thursday.