DPWH brings alleged bid-rigging by contractors, ex-officials to competition body
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Thursday, November 6, referred to the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) two cases it filed against St. Timothy Construction Corp. and Silverwolves Construction Corp. for alleged bid rigging.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon turned over on November 6 copies of two cases the agency filed with the Office of the Ombudsman in October. The cases involve substandard or ghost flood control projects in La Union and Davao Occidental worth a combined P275.9 million.
He said roughly 15 contracts have already been submitted to the PCC for investigation, with penalties likely reaching P3.13 billion.
The first case involves St. Timothy Construction Corp., owned by the Discaya family, and the Davao Occidental District Engineering Office (DEO). The project, which was fully paid for and marked as completed in 2022, had not even begun construction until August 2025.
According to findings by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), Davao Occidental District Engineer Rodrigo Larete admitted that payment was released after an agreement was made with St. Timothy that the project would be completed later.
The complaint also pointed to falsified accomplishment and inspection reports, with the DEO allegedly issuing fabricated certificates of completion.
St. Timothy is one of nine construction firms owned by couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya, who, according to Senate testimony, use their companies to bid against each other in government projects to increase their chances of winning.
Sarah told the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that while the firms appeared to be competitors, it’s simply their family’s firms competing with each other.
Her husband, Curlee, meanwhile, admitted during a congressional hearing that “from the very start, the bidding is rigged,” saying projects are often “bought” before bids are even submitted.
The complaint also cited former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo’s testimony that almost all DPWH projects are rigged — a claim echoed by former Bulacan district and assistant district engineers Henry Alcantara and Brice Hernandez.
In the La Union case, two flood control projects worth P89.7 million each were found to be completely unfinished despite being reported as completed. The awarded contractor, Silverwolves Construction, was allegedly linked to lawmakers Reps. Edvic and Eric Yap, according to Dizon and Ombudsman Boying Remulla.
RELATED: 3 more solons tagged in flood control mess as DPWH files new graft raps
The DPWH submitted the complaints to the PCC to prompt an investigation into possible bid manipulation during the procurement process. It also referred the cases to the Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC) for the purpose of investigating the accredited professionals involved.
The cases filed before the Office of the Ombudsman accuse several former DPWH officials and the two contractors of malversation and falsification.
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