DPWH orders 10 officials to explain 'lavish lifestyle,' hand in ghost projects
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has ordered 10 of its regional directors and district engineers to explain their alleged “lavish lifestyle” and involvement in substandard or ghost projects.
Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon announced on Wednesday, September 24, that the agency has issued show cause orders to the initial set of officials tied to failed infrastructure projects or displaying wealth deemed inconsistent with the code of conduct. These include:
- NCR Regional Director Gerard Opulencia, NCR — lavish lifestyle
- Central Visayas Regional Director Danilo Villa, Region VII — lavish lifestyle; linked to Right-of-Way and Legal Division (ROWALD) Chief Brando Raya
- Former Mimaropa Regional Director Gerald Pacanan — substandard projects
- CAR Regional Director Khadaffy Tanggol — failure to cooperate with ongoing investigation, alleged of tampering with documents
- Central Visayas ROWALD Chief Brando Raya — lavish lifestyle, linked to Villa
- Former Las Piñas-Muntinlupa District Engineer Isabelo Baleros — substandard projects
- Pampanga First District Engineer Almer Miranda — substandard projects
- La Union District Engineer Gil Lorenzo — substandard project
- Quezon City First District Engineer Arturo Gonzales Jr. — substandard project
- Quezon City Second District Engineer Johnny Protesta Jr. — substandard project
Dizon said the initial list was produced based on reports and evidence submitted to him from various sources. The process of issuing show cause orders provides the accused an opportunity to explain why they should not be charged for any violation of the law.
They have five days to submit their written explanation, he added.
“And later on, depending on the results of the investigation, appropriate administrative charges will be filed against them,” Dizon said.
'Don't wait to be like Alcantara'
He urged other DPWH officials to come forward and testify about the alleged bid-rigging and kickbacks in infrastructure projects, which may have involved lawmakers.
Dizon warned officials not to wait until charges are filed against them. He said those who come forward would be referred to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, where they would be questioned and allowed to respond.
“Wag niyo nang hintayin na mahuli pa kayo, makasuhan pa kayo. Ang suggestion ko sa inyong lahat, lumantad na kayo, magsabi na kayo ng totoo, ngayon palang,” he said. (Don’t wait until you are caught or filed cases against. My suggestion to you all is to expose yourselves. Tell the truth now.)
The DPWH chief appealed not to follow the example of dismissed Bulacan DPWH engineers Henry Alcantara, Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza, who first denied involvement in the kickback scheme but later admitted their role.
“Lumapit na kayo sa amin at magsalita na kayo. Wag niyo nang hintayin na mangyari sa inyo ‘yung nangyari kay Alcantara, kay Hernandez, Mendoza, et al,” Dizon said. (Just approach us and speak up. Don’t wait for what happened to Alcantara, Hernandez, Mendoza, et al. to happen to you.)
In any case, he added, the DPWH will turn over its findings and initial list to the independent body.
Dizon explained that this is part of their top-down approach to “cleaning” up the organization and its systems.
What went before
After being grilled by senators at a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, Alcantara admitted knowing about substandard projects in Bulacan’s First District and the commissions that lawmakers allegedly demanded through budget insertions.
Earlier, Hernandez had implicated Sens. Joel Villanueva and Jinggoy Estrada in the House probe, claiming they received around 30%. This time around, Alcantara also tagged former Sen. Bong Revilla among the involved senators.
The officials also pointed to former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo as the supposed mastermind of the kickback scheme.
Several House lawmakers were likewise implicated, but all denied the charges — including Rep. Elizaldy Co (Ako Bicol Party-list), who has been accused the most.
Cases to file. With bribery and malversation charges looming, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has ordered the freezing of assets belonging to Bernardo, Villanueva, Estrada, Co and former Rep. Mitch Cajayon-Uy.
The DPWH has also filed its own graft and falsification cases against its own officials before the Ombudsman.
Assets to freeze. The DPWH has also asked the AMLC to freeze P474 million worth of vehicles linked to 26 DPWH officials, contractors and other individuals, including Alcantara, Hernandez, Mendoza and the Discayas.
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