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DPWH braces for new personnel suspensions in 'ghost' flood projects probe

Philippines | National

DPWH braces for new personnel suspensions in 'ghost' flood projects probe

By Trixee Rosel

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon. (Trixee Rosel/Manila Bulletin)

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon. (Trixee Rosel/Manila Bulletin)

More personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are set to face preventive suspension amid the ongoing investigation into the controversial “ghost” flood control projects.

The agency is coordinating closely with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) and the Ombudsman to ensure accountability.

40 personnel have already been suspended, and more are expected, according to DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon.

DPWH Undersecretary Ricardo Bernabe III earlier revealed that administrative proceedings are underway against 49 employees, including those already suspended.

Criminal complaints have also been filed with the Ombudsman against 63 individuals, though their identities and the details of the cases were not disclosed.

Last Friday, the Ombudsman filed graft and malversation charges against contractor Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya and eight DPWH officials over a P96.5-million flood control project in Davao.

Dizon personally inspected the project in September and found it had been fully paid despite the contractor, Discaya-owned St. Timothy Construction Company, failing to complete the work.

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DPWH ghost flood control projects preventive suspension Vince Dizon

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