The Office of the Ombudsman has filed 36 criminal charges against six former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials in Soccsksargen and seven private individuals over an alleged Php 491-million road right-of-way scam in General Santos City.
The charges consist of 18 counts of graft and 18 counts of malversation of public funds in connection with alleged irregularities involving compensation payments for properties affected by a government road project.
The case involves six former DPWH-Soccsksargen officials and seven private individuals allegedly linked to the questionable transactions.
The Ombudsman’s filing seeks to hold the respondents accountable for their alleged participation in the misuse of public funds intended for road right-of-way compensation.
The charges stem from allegations that government funds allocated for acquiring private properties needed for road development were improperly disbursed.
The filing marks a legal development in the investigation into alleged irregularities in public infrastructure spending in General Santos City.
The accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
