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Advocates Philippines
DPWH Secretary Files Graft Charges Against Bulacan Officials, Contractors Over Flood Control Anomalies
Photo credit: DPWH
QUEZON CITY, Philippines – In a move to fulfill the administration's pledge of accountability, Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon today filed corruption charges with the Office of the Ombudsman against 20 personnel from the Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office and four private contractors.
The formal complaint, filed on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, is a direct response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to hold individuals responsible for alleged anomalies in flood control projects in the province of Bulacan.
Secretary Dizon personally led the submission of crucial documents to support the case. The charges allege violations of the Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code (Malversation of Public Funds), and Republic Act No. 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act), among other relevant laws.
"This is what our President has been saying repeatedly, from his State of the Nation Address to his many inspections on the ground. Everyone who needs to be held accountable will be held accountable, regardless of whether they are known to him, a friend, or an ally," Secretary Dizon stated. He added, "This is only the beginning, even as the Independent Commission that the President will establish is yet to be formed."
The Secretary emphasized that the President has instructed him to expedite the process of identifying and pursuing corrupt DPWH officials to ensure that the public receives the justice they deserve.
"We will all get the justice that we all deserve as Filipinos," Dizon said. "The President has assured us of that, and this is proof. Within less than 10 days of me taking office at the DPWH, the President told me to 'hurry up.' This is what we are doing. And this is just the first of many more cases to come."
Secretary Dizon also called on the public to help by reporting any anomalous projects or officials. "I am asking for help from the people. Let's channel our anger to catch more of them... You are used to me. Before, you used to send me 'kamote drivers' on the street. Now, look for them and send them to us. Believe me, we will include all of them in cases like this in the coming weeks and months," he urged.
The DPWH personnel facing charges are former District Engineer Henry C. Alcantara; former Assistant District Engineer Brice Ericson D. Hernandez; Construction Section Chiefs Jaypee D. Mendoza and John Michael E. Ramos; Planning and Design Section Chief Ernesto C. Galang; OIC Maintenance Section Chiefs Lorenzo A. Pagtalunan and Jaime R. Hernandez; Quality Assurance Section Chief Norberto L. Santos; Administrative Section Chief Floralyn Y. Simbulan; Finance Section Juanito C. Mendoza; Budget Unit Head Roberto A. Roque; Procurement Unit Head Benedict J. Matawaran; Cashier Christina Mae D. Pineda; Project Engineers Paul Jayson F. Duya, Merg Jaron C. Laus, Lemuel Ephraim C. Roque, Arjay S. Domasig, John Carlo C. Rivera, John Benex S. Francisco; and Engr. Jolo Mari V. Tayao.
The contractors facing related charges are Sally N. Santos of SYMS Construction Trading; Mark Allan V. Arevalo of Wawao Builders; Ma. Roma Angeline D. Rimando and beneficial owner Cezarah Rowena C. Discaya of St. Timothy Construction Corporation; and Robert T. Imperio and IM Construction Corporation.
The formal complaint, filed on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, is a direct response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to hold individuals responsible for alleged anomalies in flood control projects in the province of Bulacan.
Secretary Dizon personally led the submission of crucial documents to support the case. The charges allege violations of the Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code (Malversation of Public Funds), and Republic Act No. 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act), among other relevant laws.
"This is what our President has been saying repeatedly, from his State of the Nation Address to his many inspections on the ground. Everyone who needs to be held accountable will be held accountable, regardless of whether they are known to him, a friend, or an ally," Secretary Dizon stated. He added, "This is only the beginning, even as the Independent Commission that the President will establish is yet to be formed."
The Secretary emphasized that the President has instructed him to expedite the process of identifying and pursuing corrupt DPWH officials to ensure that the public receives the justice they deserve.
"We will all get the justice that we all deserve as Filipinos," Dizon said. "The President has assured us of that, and this is proof. Within less than 10 days of me taking office at the DPWH, the President told me to 'hurry up.' This is what we are doing. And this is just the first of many more cases to come."
Secretary Dizon also called on the public to help by reporting any anomalous projects or officials. "I am asking for help from the people. Let's channel our anger to catch more of them... You are used to me. Before, you used to send me 'kamote drivers' on the street. Now, look for them and send them to us. Believe me, we will include all of them in cases like this in the coming weeks and months," he urged.
The DPWH personnel facing charges are former District Engineer Henry C. Alcantara; former Assistant District Engineer Brice Ericson D. Hernandez; Construction Section Chiefs Jaypee D. Mendoza and John Michael E. Ramos; Planning and Design Section Chief Ernesto C. Galang; OIC Maintenance Section Chiefs Lorenzo A. Pagtalunan and Jaime R. Hernandez; Quality Assurance Section Chief Norberto L. Santos; Administrative Section Chief Floralyn Y. Simbulan; Finance Section Juanito C. Mendoza; Budget Unit Head Roberto A. Roque; Procurement Unit Head Benedict J. Matawaran; Cashier Christina Mae D. Pineda; Project Engineers Paul Jayson F. Duya, Merg Jaron C. Laus, Lemuel Ephraim C. Roque, Arjay S. Domasig, John Carlo C. Rivera, John Benex S. Francisco; and Engr. Jolo Mari V. Tayao.
The contractors facing related charges are Sally N. Santos of SYMS Construction Trading; Mark Allan V. Arevalo of Wawao Builders; Ma. Roma Angeline D. Rimando and beneficial owner Cezarah Rowena C. Discaya of St. Timothy Construction Corporation; and Robert T. Imperio and IM Construction Corporation.
Sep 11, 2025
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