Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon has filed the first batch of cases before the Office of the Ombudsman against several DPWH officials and construction companies allegedly involved in anomalous multi-billion peso flood control projects.

Dizon said the filing is part of the agency’s continuing efforts to hold accountable those behind the irregularities. The initial complaints include charges of graft, falsification of documents, and violation of the Anti-Red Tape Act, among others.

“Bago umalis ang Presidente, ang sabi ay paspasan ang pagpapa-file ng kaso laban sa mga contractor at kawani ng DPWH,” Dizon said, citing President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive for swift action.

Named in Complaints

Among those facing charges are former and current DPWH Bulacan officials, including:

• Henry Alcantara, former District Engineer
  
  

• Brice Ericson Hernandez, former Assistant District Engineer
  
  

• Jaypee Mendoza, Chief Construction Section
  
  

• John Michael Ramos, Chief Construction Section
  
  

• Ernesto Galang, Chief Planning and Design Section
  
  

• Lorenzo Pagtalunan, OIC-Chief Maintenance Section
  
  

• Norberto Santos, Chief, Quality Assurance Section
  
  

• Jaime Hernandez, OIC-Chief Maintenance Section
  
  

• Floralyn Simbulan, Chief Administrative Section
  
  

• Juanito Mendoza, Finance Section Chief
  
  

• Roberto Roque, Budget Unit Head
  
  

• Jolo Mari Tayao, Engineer II
  
  

• Benedict Matawaran, Procurement Unit Head
  
  

• Christina Mae Pineda, Cashier II
  
  

• Paul Jayson Duya, Project Engineer
  
  

• Merg Jaron Laus, Project Engineer
  
  

• Lemuel Ephraim Roque, Project Engineer
  
  

• Arjay Domasig, Project Engineer
  
  

• John Carlo Rivera, Project Engineer
  
  

• John Benex Francisco, Project Engineer
  
  

Also charged are several construction firms and their representatives:

• SYMS Construction Trading – Sally Santos, Proprietor/General Manager
  
  

• Wawao Builders – Mark Allan Arevalo, Owner/Manager
  
  

• St. Timothy Construction Corporation – Ma. Roma Angeline Rimando, Owner/General Manager, and/or Cezarah Rowena C. Discaya, Beneficial Owner
  
  

• IM Construction Corporation – Robert Imperio, Owner/Manager

The Ombudsman filing coincides with ongoing Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and House of Representatives inquiries into alleged “ghost projects” and questionable contracts in flood control programs nationwide.

The DPWH is still verifying additional individuals and companies, with further cases expected to follow as investigations continue.