CEBU CITY -- The National Bureau of Investigation-Central Visayas (NBI-7) filed criminal and administrative charges against eight Cebu City Hall Officials and seven government contractors for their alleged involvement in an anomalous multi-million garbage collection deal.
The charges were filed before the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022.
Lawyer Rennan Oliva, regional director of NBI-7, said that based on their investigation, the respondents connived in a deal that cost the city government P239,728,280.62.
Oliva said it was Mayor Michael Rama who requested the NBI-7 to have the alleged anomaly investigated.
The City Council also passed a resolution requesting for an investigation.
The requests for investigation stemmed from a 2021 audit report in which the Commission on Audit flagged the Cebu City Government’s P383 million garbage collection deal with Docast Construction and JJ & J Construction and General Supply.
Among those charged were lawyer Floro Casas Jr., a former Cebu City administrator and now a consultant for the Cebu City Vice Mayor's Office, former Department of Public Services (DPS) chief, Atty. John Jigo Dacua, Cebu Environmental Sanitation and Enforcement Team (CESET) head and former Garbage Collection and Disposal in-charge Grace Luardo-Silva, Allen Omlero Ceballos (Inspection Officer of DPS), Romelito Asinjo Datan (City Treasurer’s Office Inspector, DPS), Mark Abarquez Ugbinar (General Services Office Inspector, DPS), Jerome Visarra Ornopia, and Mare Vae Fernandez Reyes (acting City Treasurer).
Also charged were seven private individuals who are government contractors from Docast Construction and JJ & J Construction and General Supply.
They are Jayra Angelic Maningo Ruiz-Javier (Authorized Managing Officer), John David Sevilles Javier (Operation Manager), Erika May Quiño (Encoder), Jay Alexander Aguilar Ruiz (Incorporator), Maridel Maningo Ruiz (Incorporator), Robert Jay Maningo Ruiz (Incorporator), and Jayvic Castrenz Maningo Ruiz (Incorporator).
According to the NBI-7, the accused committed plunder and violated Republic Act (RA) 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code (malversation of public funds) and RA 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
Oliva disclosed that the city government entered into an agreement with the Joint Venture of Docast Construction and JJ&J Construction and General Supply for the collection, hauling and dumping of the city’s garbage.
Based on the investigation, Oliva said the NBI-7 found out that the accused committed over billing, padding, and ghost deliveries.