Brice Hernandez, two Mendozas sacked over P55-M Bulacan projects
MANILA, Philippines — Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon dismissed three engineers tied to alleged anomalies in flood-control projects in Bulacan’s 1st engineering district, the agency said in a decision dated Monday, September 15.
The DPWH decision found Brice Hernandez, Jaypee Mendoza and Juanito Mendoza guilty of disloyalty to the republic and to the Filipino people, grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
The ruling ordered their dismissal from government service, perpetual disqualification from holding public office, forfeiture of retirement benefits and cancellation of civil service eligibility.
“This Decision is without prejudice to the filing of appropriate civil or criminal actions before the proper authorities,” the decision read.
Graft complaints filed
Dizon on Thursday, September 11 filed graft complaints against several DPWH engineers and contractors; Hernandez and the two Mendozas were named in those complaints, the department said.
The dismissals follow a congressional probe into alleged anomalous flood-control projects. During one House hearing, Hernandez was summoned and presented photos he said showed stacks of cash allegedly distributed as kickbacks by his former superior, dismissed Bulacan 1st District engineer Henry Alcantara.
He also implicated Senators Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada in similar schemes.
Hernandez has filed a writ of amparo seeking a temporary protection order and inclusion in the witness protection program after he was transferred to the Pasay City Jail from the Philippine National Police Custodial Center, the DPWH said.
Roles named in complaint. According to the complaint Dizon filed before the Office of the Ombudsman, Jaypee Mendoza was the construction section chief of Bulacan’s 1st engineering district, while Juanito Mendoza served as its finance section chief.
The DPWH has been undergoing an overhaul as investigations into alleged widespread corruption in flood-control projects continue, with several contractors already implicated in the alleged proliferation of ineffective or fictitious initiatives.
- Latest
- Trending
