DPWH sets criminal raps vs Sunwest, some Discaya firms in flood control mess crackdown
Metro Manila, Philippines - The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will file criminal complaints against contractors of anomalous flood control deals in Oriental Mindoro, including Sunwest Inc., one of contractors identified by the president as having cornered the most number of projects, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said.
In a media briefing on Friday, Sept. 12, Dizon said he will file the same complaints against two other companies tied to the Discayas. The agency earlier filed cases against four contractors and 20 agency officials with the Office of the Ombudsman.
On Sept. 11, the DPWH filed complaints against four companies for malversation of public funds and violation of the anti graft and corrupt practices act and procurement law.
Other companies to be included in the complaint are Elite General Contractor and Development Corporation and St. Timothy Construction Corporation, both tied to the Discayas, who testified in Congress of involvement in payouts to DPWH officers.
Dizon said Sunwest contracted five packages in Oriental Mindoro, while Elite and St. Timothy each had one package.
Early this week, the DPWH chief inspected projects in Naujan town, where he identified so-called ghost projects, or those deemed completed but were non-existent. A substandard project in Brgy. Tagumpay in Naujan was also flagged – which the DPWH said were contracted by Sunwest, Elite, and St. Timothy.
Dizon refused to name personalities who will be named in the complaint.
Controversial contractor Sarah Discaya earlier admitted in a Senate inquiry that her family owns nine companies, including Elite and St. Timothy. She was among the five contractor officials named in the first complaint filed by the DPWH.
Meanwhile, former House appropriations chairman and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co founded Sunwest, a conglomerate primarily engaged in construction, among others. The lawmaker has divested from the company in 2019.
Co’s name has been tagged among those allegedly receiving commissions from flood control deals. He has denied the accusations.
“Kung saan tayo dadalhin ng ebidensya, sabi ng pangulo, kahit sino pa, ‘yan ay tutumbukin natin at ‘yan ay kailangan managot kasama na rin kung merong beneficial owners,” said Dizon.
[Translation: Wherever the evidence leads us, the President said, whoever it is, we will pursue it and they must be held accountable including any beneficial owners, if there are any.]
Dizon said he also assigned a separate team in charge to go after contractors responsible for substandard and non-existent projects.
“Hahabulin natin lahat ng bonds, lahat ng warranties, and securities na nasa kontrata nitong mga contractor na ito…para sa structure gaya ng flood control, five years pwede silang habulin,” he said.
[Translation: We will go after all the bonds, all the warranties, and securities stated in the contract with these contractors… for structures like flood control, we can hold them liable for up to five years.]
The DPWH chief said he will meet with the Anti Money Laundering Council on Monday, Sept. 15, to discuss the possible freezing and forfeiture of assets of those involved in questionable projects.
