The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has requested government agencies to provide lists of properties—cars, water vessels, and aircraft—registered under 26 DPWH officials and private company owners facing cases before the Office of the Ombudsman over alleged anomalous infrastructure projects in Bulacan.
In letters sent to the Land Transportation Office, Land Registration Authority, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, and Maritime Industry Authority, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon emphasized that the move is meant “to prevent the dissipation, removal, or disposal of properties strongly suspected to be the proceeds of, or related to, unlawful activities… [and] ensure that ongoing government efforts to combat corruption and money laundering are not undermined.”
Earlier, Dizon sought the assistance of the Anti-Money Laundering Council in filing freeze orders with the Court of Appeals against the implicated officials, employees, and private contractors, which the CA has granted.
The officials under investigation include former and current DPWH engineers, project engineers, and administrative personnel, while the private contractors involve owners and officers of St. Timothy Construction Corporation, Wawao Builders, SYMS Construction Trading, and IM Construction Corporation.
The Senate, House of Representatives, and internal DPWH probes have linked some of these individuals to ghost, incomplete, or substandard projects. Complaints have been filed with the Office of the Ombudsman for violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019), Malversation, and Falsification in relation to the Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184).
Meanwhile, Dizon, along with Independent Commission for Infrastructure Chair retired Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes Jr., former DPWH secretary Rogelio Singson, and ICI members, met with Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte to inspect allegedly anomalous flood control projects, including the Matalahib Creek, Mariblo, and Sta. Cruz Pumping Stations. Belmonte previously reported that 66 listed flood control projects in the city could not be located.