DOJ probes 20 DPWH execs over Cebu Infra projects
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday said it is investigating 20 individuals, including a district engineer and other officials and employees of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Cebu province, for alleged graft and malversation in connection with two flood control projects in Balamban town that are suspected of being tainted by irregularities.
At a press conference, DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said the National Bureau of Investigation district office in Cebu filed two separate complaints last week against Suzette Nwanaka, district engineer of Cebu’s Third District Engineering Office, and 19 others over their alleged involvement in the bidding and implementation of the projects.
The projects flagged by the NBI are located in Barangay Singsing, Balamban town, Martinez said.
Both complaints alleged violations of Sections 3(e) and 3(g) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act; malversation of public funds; illegal use of public funds or property; perjury; falsification by private individuals and use of falsified documents; falsification of documents by public officers; and violation of Section 65(b) of Republic Act No. 9184, or the Government Procurement Reform Act.
“These two complaints form part of the broader inquiry into flood control-related anomalies in the country,” Martinez said.
Aside from Nwanaka, the respondents include DPWH Third District officials Reynaldo Navales and Dhalie Almirol, both assistant district engineers; Jose Clemente Jr., project engineer; Eva Acosta, materials engineer; Alex Manayon, accountant; Fritzie Ortega, chief of planning and design; and Romeo Golle, chair of the bids and awards committee.
The complaints also named private contractors Wilhelm Tiu Go and Winiza Zhiene Baguio.
The DOJ declined to disclose further details.
