20 ex-DPWH execs, contractors face graft raps

The Department of Public Works and Highways, represented by its newly appointed Secretary Vince Dizon, filed a criminal complaint yesterday before the Office of the Ombudsman against 20 former DPWH officials in Bulacan and several private contractors, including Sarah Discaya, in connection with the alleged ghost or substandard flood control projects in the province.

- ELIZABETH MARCELO

In a 35-page complaint, Dizon urged the ombudsman to investigate 20 former officials of the DPWH 1st District Engineering Office (DEO) in Bulacan and five private contractors including Discaya for violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents under the Revised Penal Code and violation of RA 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.

"Through their concerted acts, these officials conspired with contractors to facilitate fraudulent fund releases, causing undue damage and injury to the government and granting unwarranted benefits to the contractors," the complaint read.