Ghost projects in Masbate? Kho’s lawyer responds

For today’s piece, I am publishing the response of Masbate Rep. Antonio Kho to my Oct. 12 column “Ghost projects in Masbate? DPWH, take a look,” sent through his  lawyer.

The letter, signed by lawyer Renfred Tan of Quezon City-headquartered Tan Briones & Associates, sought to clarify information mentioned in the 38-page judicial narrative of some members of the Masbate Quad Media Society Inc. (MQMSI), including the corruption-related complaints filed against Kho, the former provincial governor of Masbate.

See below:

On the alleged judicial narrative detailing alleged ghost projects in Masbate

The document described as a “judicial narrative” is highly suspect. Calling the supposed Aug. 2, 2025 document a “judicial narrative”is misleading and erroneously implies that it was filed in court or it emanated from a judicial process.

However, there is no recently filed case, particularly dated Aug. 2, 2025, against Rep. Antonio Kho, especially pertaining to ghost projects when he was still provincial governor. The author mentioned that she got hold of a copy of an Aug. 2, 2025 document submitted by members of the MQMSI. It is not clear where this document was submitted nor is there reason as to why she would describe such document as a “judicial narrative” as it could not have reached the courts. The author has, therefore, falsely attributed judicial credibility to the said document when it has none.

On Arnel Bello, Edarlito Doremon Jr. and Benjamin Gigante representing MQMSI

The article cites findings from Arnel Bello, Edarlito Doremon Jr., and Benjamin Giganten and directly implying that they speak for MQMSI. Per MQMSI president, Ruben Fuentes, these individuals are not authorized to represent the organization and their views do not reflect those of MQMSI.

On the alleged cases filed against Rep. Antonio Kho

The opinion piece mentioned that as a result of the investigation done by supposed members of the MQMSI, they filed various cases with the Office of the Ombudsman against then governor Antonio Kho concerning alleged ghost projects. The article lists 10 alleged ghost projects where complaints were supposedly filed on different dates of Jan. 5, 2023, Oct. 18, 2023 and Dec. 22, 2023. In the same piece, it was likewise mentioned that “there were other road projects worth over P234.6 million, but these were dismissed.”

Verily, it is lamentable that the article did not mention that the complaints listed by the author have all been retracted by the Affidavit of Desistance dated March 14, 2024 of Ruben Fuentes, the president of MQMSI, where he explicitly apologized to the then governor Antonio Kho for filing baseless and malicious cases.

For the information of The Philippine Star Editorial Team, the cases against then governor Antonio Kho which were not dismissed or the cases listed in the article, were re-filed by his political rivals through Mr. Jay Alfaro.

However, Mr. Alfaro has also executed an Affidavit of Desistance dated Aug. 12, 2024, wherein he stated that all the complaints he filed together with Benjamin Gigante and Edarlito Doremon Jr. were similar complaints earlier filed by Mr. Ruben Fuentes and were initiated by them at the behest of then incumbent Masbate City mayor Socrates Tuason. Mr. Alfaro went further to state that “[we] were merely required by Mayor Tuason to sign these complaints, telling us that since we are media men, being officers of Masbate Quad Media Society, myself being the secretary, the people of Masbate will easily believe that we have the credibility to file these complaints, and that what we are accusing the respondents is true. We were merely used by Mayor Socrates Tuason to enhance his political agenda in the 2025 local elections in the Province of Masbate by maligning and making false accusations against his perceived political opponents.”

Given these circumstances, we submit for the author’s and the public’s information the following:

1. The document supposedly dated Aug. 2, 2025 which the author got hold a copy of cannot be called a “judicial narrative” without factual basis that it emanated from court proceedings. And to use such term recklessly reeks of malice and misleads the reader that the document has credibility when it has none.

2. The fact-finding report by MQMSI and the list of alleged ghost projects that it documented have all been repudiated by the very head of MQMSI, Mr. Ruben Fuentes, and then MQMSI secretary, Mr. Jay Alfaro, through their respective Affidavits of Desistance. It is clear from the said affidavits that the cases are far from being results of a rigorous fact-finding investigation but more of a result of political machinations intended to compromise Antonio Kho’s bid for election. Hence, the relentless filing of cases against him at the time.

*      *      *

I take note of the clarificatory response from Rep. Antonio Kho through his lawyer, and view it as part of an important conversation we must continue to have in our country today on our collective fight against corruption.

I publish it in the interest of fairness, without prejudice to my role as a columnist to search for the truth and accountability, raise questions and contribute to public discourse.

That said, I reiterate what I’ve consistently called for since this flood control mess erupted – a full investigation of ghost projects nationwide and the filing of appropriate charges against the perpetrators.

As for Masbate, the letter itself hints at a deeper reality, a province intertwined with a complex and entrenched political landscape, shaping even its fight for good governance. Like its famed rodeo, it’s thrilling to watch, but dangerous to those who dare to take the reins.

*      *      *

Email: [email protected]. Follow her on X 
@eyesgonzales. Column archives at EyesWideOpen on FB.