The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will file criminal complaints next week against contractors involved in anomalous flood control projects in Oriental Mindoro, including Sunwest Construction and Development Corp.
During a press conference on Friday, September 12, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon announced that, in addition to Sunwest, criminal complaints will also be filed against St. Timothy Construction Corporation, Elite General Contractor and Development Corporation—a company linked to the Visayas-based Discaya family—as well as other local contractors involved in substandard infrastructure projects in the province.
"We will be filing similar cases but now against the people involved both within DPWH and the contractors involved in the Oriental Mindoro projects that we saw for ourselves," Dizon said.
Dizon said at least five projects were awarded to Sunwest, a firm earlier flagged by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as among the contractors that cornered billions worth of flood control contracts nationwide.
"We will be filing the same cases that we filed against Wawao, St. Timothy, Syms, and I.M. that we filed yesterday. And also against the involved DPWH personnel," he said.
"Hintayin naman po natin yung pag-file natin ng kaso sa Wednesday,” Dizon added when asked how many DPWH personnel will be charged.
The DPWH chief said he had already spoken to Oriental Mindoro Governor Humerlito "Bonz" Dolor, who signified his intent to join the filing of cases against those responsible.
Furthermore, Dizon planned a dialogue with Senator Mark Villar, who served as DPWH Secretary from 2016 to 2021 under the Duterte administration. The meeting Villar will cover various issues, including flood control projects currently under scrutiny.
"Kung sino ang ituturo ng ebidensya, tutumbok tayo doon. At sabi ng Pangulo, wala tayong sasantuhin. Walang kaibigan, walang kamag-anak, walang kaalyado. Kung saan pupunta ang ebidensya, doon tayo pupunta. 'Yun din ang mandato ng Independent Commission on Infrastructure," Dizon said.
He stressed that despite his personal friendship with Villar, the agency and the administration will not spare anyone implicated in irregularities.
The move forms part of the administration’s broader crackdown on anomalous projects, with Dizon stressing that accountability will not end with criminal liability.
He said the government is also pursuing the recovery of public funds through contract bonds, warranties, and possible forfeiture of assets with the help of the Anti-Money Laundering Council.
“Hindi sapat yung makulong. Hindi sapat yung managot. Kailangan ibalik ang pera ng tao. Kailangan ibalik ang pera ng tao dito,” Dizon said.
Earlier this week, the DPWH filed its first batch of cases before the Ombudsman against another set of contractors and officials implicated in ghost flood control projects in Bulacan.
Dizon vowed that the department will file complaints “weekly” until the Independent Commission on Infrastructure, recently created by executive order, begins its own probe into projects implemented.
