Ombudsman suspends 16 DPWH execs over Bulacan flood control scandal
Metro Manila, Philippines - Acting Ombudsman Dante Vargas has ordered the preventive suspension of 16 personnel from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in relation to alleged anomalies in the flood control projects in the Bulacan.
The following employees from DPWH-Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office listed in the order dated Wednesday, Sept. 17, but publicized Friday are as follows:
John Michael Ramos, construction section chief
Enersto Galang, planning and design section chief
Lorzen Pagtalunan, maintenance section OIC chief
Norberto Santos, quality section chief
Jaime Hernandez, maintenance section OIC chief
Floralyn Simbulan, administrative section chief
Roberto Roque, budget unit head
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
Jolo Mari Tayao, engineer II
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon directed the immediate implementation of the suspension order.
The Ombudsman placed 16 DPWH personnel under a six-month preventive suspension without pay effective Friday, as they face criminal complaints related to questionable projects in Plaridel, Pandi, and Bocaue.
The anti-graft body also said it did not suspend Henry Alcantara, Brice Ericson Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza, and Juanito Mendoza as they were already dismissed from service.
“The flood control projects in question are being tagged as ghost or graft-ridden projects, either through the lack of necessary supporting documents, non-existence of any civil works, discrepancy in the pinpointed location, and even flawed approved bid plans,” the Ombudsman said in a news release on Friday.
It said the suspension order will prevent the personnel from exerting influence over the ongoing investigation of the case, safeguard public records, and ensure accountability.
Alcantara and Hernandez, former DPWH Bulacan district engineers, have been cited in contempt by the Senate blue ribbon committee on Thursday for allegedly lying under oath.
