THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) filed on Thursday multiple criminal complaints at the Office of the Ombudsman against 20 DPWH-Bulacan officials and four private contractors in connection with anomalous flood control projects.
The move aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to hold accountable those involved in anomalies related to flood control projects in Bulacan province.
DPWH Secretary Vivencio Dizon personally submitted vital documents to support the cases, the agency said in a statement issued on Thursday.
Dizon likewise asked the Ombudsman to refer the cases to the Anti-Money Laundering Council for possible filing of charges for violations of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (RA 9160) and to start forfeiture proceedings against all respondents under RA No. 1379, and recover ill-gotten wealth from those in public service.
The charges were filed for alleged violations of several laws, including the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Malversation of Public Funds, the DPWH said.
Stemming from IAS inquiries
Dizon said the criminal complaints stemmed from inquiries conducted by the DPWH Internal Audit Service (IAS) that inspected infrastructure projects in Bulacan province from August 13 to 20, 2025.
“The IAS found that certifications of project accomplishment were issued and payments were authorized despite incomplete, defective, or unperformed works. Project logbooks and supporting documents were missing or grossly inadequate. Variation Orders were undated, irregularly processed, or absent. Performance securities and surety bonds were insufficient or improperly verified. Despite these violations, funds were released,” the DPWH said.
Malversation and corruption
Dizon, as complainant, sought indictments for malversation of public funds and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019) against the respondents: former DPWH-Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara; assistant district engineer Brice Ericson Hernandez; Construction Section chiefs Jaypee Mendoza and John Michael Ramos.
Planning and Design Section chief Ernesto Galang; Maintenance Section OIC chiefs Lorenzo Pagtalunan and Jaime Hernandez; Quality Assurance Section chief Norberto Santos; Administrative Section chief Floralyn Simbulan; Finance Section chief Juanito Mendoza; Budget Unit head Roberto Roque.
Procurement Unit head Benedict Matawaran; cashier Christina Mae Pineda; project engineers Paul Jayson Duya, Merg Jaron Laus, Arjay Domasig, Lemuel Ephraim Roque, John Carlo Rivera, and John Rex Francisco, and engineer Jolo Mari Tayao.
Also named respondents were SYMS Construction Trading represented by General Manager Sally Santos, Wawao Builders represented by owner Mark Allan Arevalo, St. Timothy Construction Corp. represented by General Manager Ma. Roma Angeline Rimando and owner Cezarah Rowena Discaya; and IM Construction Corp. represented by owner Robert Imperio.
‘Just the beginning’
“This is what the President has been saying … everyone who must be held accountable should be held accountable,” Dizon was quoted as saying in the statement.
“Even if he knows them, even if they are his friends or allies, everyone must be made accountable. This is just the beginning,” he said.
The filing of charges comes as both the Senate and the House of Representatives have been conducting parallel hearings into the alleged corruption.
The congressional probes have brought forth explosive testimonies from witnesses, including contractors and engineers, who have implicated a syndicate where politicians allegedly pocketed as much as 30 percent of project costs.
False accomplishment reports
Dizon said the private contractors conspired with the DPWH-Bulacan officials to defraud the government “by preparing and circulating false accomplishment reports, fabricated validation orders, spurious inspection reports, and fraudulent certificates of completion.”
“These documents, though knowingly falsified, were repeatedly reviewed, validated, approved, and certified by the respondents. They became the indispensable basis for the release of government funds, despite the absence of actual or sufficient work accomplishment,” he pointed out.
Contracts covered by the 37-page complaint were the P96.5 million rehabilitation of river protection structure along Bulusan, Calumpit, Bulacan, implemented by St. Timothy Construction; the P39.19 million construction of flood control structure at Barangay Buguion-Sergio Bayan – Balite – San Marcos – Palimbang, Calumpit, Bulacan also by St. Timothy Construction.
The P77.2 million construction of flood control mitigation structures along Barangay Frances, Calumpit, Bulacan by Wawao Builders; the P77.2 million construction of flood control mitigation structures along Barangay Sta. Lucia, Calumpit, Bulacan also by Wawao Builders.
The P55.73 million construction of reinforced concrete river wall at Purok 4, Barangay Piel, Baliuag, Bulacan by SYMS Construction Trading; and the construction of a pumping station and flood gate at Barangay Atlag, Malolos by IM Construction Corp.
They will also face alleged violations of the Government Procurement Reform Act (RA No. 9184).
Two senators involved
During a House hearing on September 9, Hernandez claimed that two senators had received kickbacks from nearly P1 billion worth of flood control projects.
Hernandez, who was later cited for contempt by the Senate, presented purported evidence in the form of photos of cash and screenshots of messages between officials. The two senators have vehemently denied the allegations.
Separately, during a Senate hearing, contractors Pacifico and Sarah Discaya alleged that several House representatives and DPWH officials demanded large kickbacks to secure lucrative contracts. The Discayas, who are part of St. Timothy Construction Corporation, have requested witness protection, fearing for their safety.
Fast-track investigation
Dizon said the president has ordered a fast-track investigation into corrupt DPWH officials to ensure swift justice for the public.
He warned that the DPWH will file more cases against those involved in the anomalous flood control projects even before the president’s Independent Commission is established.
“While the Independent Commission that the president plans to establish is not yet in place, the DPWH will first be filing these complaints, and there will be many more in the coming weeks,” Dizon said in a media interview.
Dizon also appealed to the public to help expose corruption within the DPWH. He urged citizens to check on local DPWH projects, take photos, and report any employees who are “flaunting luxurious houses and cars on social media.”
In a separate move, Dizon signed a memorandum on September 9 temporarily excusing all DPWH officials and employees from wearing their official uniforms to protect them from “bullying and harassment” in connection with the ongoing investigation.
“All officials and employees of the DPWH are excused from wearing the prescribed office uniform until further notice,” the memorandum stated, adding that all personnel are still expected to report to duty in “appropriate and presentable attire.”
