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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOJ to resolve starting Nov. 28 charges filed in five 'ghost, anomalous' flood control projects in Bulacan

DOJ to resolve starting Nov. 28 charges filed in five 'ghost, anomalous' flood control projects in Bulacan

Published Nov 24, 2025 06:54 pm
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is expected to resolve starting on Friday, Nov. 28, the charges filed against several Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials and owners of a construction firm on five “ghost” and “anomalous” flood control projects in Balagtas and Pandi towns in Bulacan.
The resolution to either dismiss the charges or file them before the courts is expected to be issued by mid-December.
Respondents in the charges are led by former Bulacan First Engineering District head Henry C. Alcantara; former assistant district engineers Brice Ericson D. Hernandez and Jaypee D. Mendoza; and Syms Construction representative Sally N. Santos.
Some of the other respondents are DPWH project engineers Arjay S. Domasig and Nino Lawrence V. Morales, finance section chief Juanito C. Mendoza, administrative section chief Floralyn Y. Simbulan, and cashier Christina Mae D. Pineda.
DOJ Spokesperson and Prosecution Attorney Raphael Niccolo Martinez said the panel of prosecutors started the preliminary investigation last Nov. 14 after it was returned by the Office of the Ombudsman.
The DOJ has concurrent jurisdiction with the Ombudsman in the preliminary investigation of charges against government officials and employees with Salary Grade 26 and below, and Regional Trial Courts (RTCs) have jurisdiction over the cases.
The Ombudsman has jurisdiction to resolve charges filed against government officers with Salary Grade 27 and above, and cases are filed before the Sandiganbayan.
During a hearing held on Monday, Nov. 24, counter-affidavits were submitted to the panel of prosecutors by Alcantara, Hernandez, Mendoza, and Santos.
Several other respondents did not appear and thus they were given until Nov. 28 to submit their counter-affidavits, Martinez said.
He said the Nov. 28 deadline is non-extendible and the charges against them will be resolved based on available evidence.
The charges filed in the five cases include malversation through falsification under Article 217 in relation to Article 171 Paragraph 4 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC); perjury under Article 183 of the RPC; and violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
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