The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) filed on Thursday, Sept. 11, graft complaints at the Office of the Ombudsman against 20 officials from its Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office and four private contractors—including the controversial Cezarah Rowena Discaya—over alleged large-scale corruption in flood control projects.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon emphasized that the move aligns with President Marcos’ repeated directives to hold accountable those who misuse public funds.
He also issued a strong appeal to the public, urging citizens to actively report suspicious activities and erring contractors.
“I ask for the help of the people. Let’s channel our anger into action—track them down and send them to us,” Dizon said in Filipino, referencing past public cooperation in identifying traffic violators.
“Believe me, we will include all of them in the coming weeks and months.”
“Even if they are friends or allies, everyone must be held responsible,” Dizon stressed, noting that this is only the beginning while the Independent Commission is still being organized.
He personally submitted key documents to the Ombudsman to support alleged violations of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act); Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code (Malversation of Public Funds) in relation to Article 171; Republic Act No. 9184; and other relevant laws.
Officials charged include: 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, and Administrative Section Chief Floralyn Y. Simbulan.
Also charged were Finance Section Head Juanito C. Mendoza, Budget Unit Head Roberto A. Roque, Procurement Unit Head Benedict J. Matawaran, Cashier Christina Mae D. Pineda, and 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 named in the complaint include: Sally N. Santos of SYMS Construction Trading, Mark Allan V. Arevalo of Wawao Builders, Ma. Roma Angeline D. Rimando and Cezarah Rowena C. Discaya of St. Timothy Construction Corporation, and Robert T. Imperio of IM Construction Corporation, along with unidentified JOHN and/or JANE DOES whose involvement may be determined later.
“The President has assured us that we will all get the justice we deserve as Filipinos, and this is proof of that,” Dizon said, underscoring the urgency of the crackdown and the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
