20 face graft complaints over alleged Cebu flood control project anomalies

National

TWENTY officials, employees and private individuals linked to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Cebu Third District Engineering Office are facing criminal complaints over alleged irregularities in two flood control projects in Cebu, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said.

The complaints, filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Cebu District Office, involve separate projects in Barangay Singsing, Balamban, Cebu.

DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said during a press conference on Tuesday, Aug. 4, that the department received the first complaint on July 29. A second complaint was later filed against the same 20 respondents over the same alleged offenses, but in connection with a different flood control project.

The respondents include engineers and other personnel from the DPWH Cebu Third District Engineering Office, as well as private individuals allegedly involved in the projects’ bidding and implementation.

According to Martinez, the complaints allege illegal use of public funds or property, or technical malversation, under Article 220 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC); malversation of public funds under Article 217; and violations of Sections 3(e) and 3(g) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The respondents are also accused of perjury under Article 183 of the RPC; falsification by private individuals and use of falsified documents under Article 171; falsification of documents by public officers under Article 172; and violation of Section 65(b), paragraphs 2 and 4, of Republic Act No. 9184, or the Government Procurement Reform Act.

Martinez stressed that the complaints remain under preliminary investigation and that no final determination of liability has been made against any of the respondents.

“No conclusive finding has been made yet,” Martinez said in a Philstar report.

He added that all respondents will have the opportunity to submit counter-affidavits and evidence in their defense before the DOJ resolves the complaints.(MyTVCebu)