Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon on Thursday filed criminal charges before the Office of the Ombudsman against 20 personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office and four private contractors, in connection with alleged anomalies in flood control projects.
The charges include violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019), Malversation of Public Funds (Article 217, Revised Penal Code), Falsification (Article 171, RPC), Republic Act No. 9184 (Procurement Law), and other related laws.
Dizon said the move was in compliance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to hold accountable those responsible for irregularities in infrastructure projects. “This is just the beginning,” Dizon stated, emphasizing that accountability would be pursued regardless of political connections.
The officials charged include former and current district engineers, section chiefs, project engineers, and finance officers. Among those named are former District Engineer Henry C. Alcantara, former Assistant District Engineer Brice Ericson D. Hernandez, and multiple section heads and engineers.
Also charged were representatives of the following contractors: SYMS Construction Trading, Wawao Builders, St. Timothy Construction Corporation, and IM Construction Corporation.
Dizon personally led the filing of the complaints and called on the public to help identify and report further irregularities, assuring that more cases would follow in the coming weeks. He stressed that the crackdown aims to deliver justice to affected communities suffering due to substandard or failed flood control projects.
“This is what the President wants—to go after all who must be held accountable,” Dizon said.
