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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ex-Caloocan mayor files raps vs Asistio, others over alleged P79.2-M 'ghost' infra projects

Ex-Caloocan mayor files raps vs Asistio, others over alleged P79.2-M 'ghost' infra projects

Published May 21, 2026 05:08 pm
(MB FILE PHOTO/JEL SANTOS)
(MB FILE PHOTO/JEL SANTOS)
Former Caloocan City Mayor Reynaldo Malonzo on Thursday, May 21, filed corruption charges before the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) against Caloocan Third District Rep. Dean Asistio, a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) district engineer, and six private contractors over alleged “ghost” and anomalous infrastructure projects worth P79.2 million.
In a statement, Malonzo said documents and site inspections uncovered an alleged pattern of corruption involving road, drainage, flood control, and building projects across the district that supposedly received full government funding despite allegedly lacking physical or standard compliance on the ground.
He said the respondents were charged with violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (R.A. 3019), malversation of public funds, and falsification of public documents over alleged fabricated accomplishments, manipulated photos, and gross overpricing.
Malonzo alleged that the questioned projects involved supposed irregularities in road, drainage, flood control, and building projects in several barangays, including allegations of nonexistent structures, manipulated or unrelated project photos, misrepresentation of completed works, location discrepancies, and alleged overpricing.
According to Malonzo, private contractor executives charged alongside Rep. Asistio and Engineer Ruel Umali include Fermerindo Angelo D. Besabe (DSA Prime Builders Corp.), Florita P. Villanueva (Diadema Construction), Dan Rupert O. Cham (Pheames Community Construction), Romanito R. Juatco (Framecon Builders), Mark Allan V. Arevalo (Wawao Builders), and Roland Radcliffe Imperio (5-I Construction Corp.), whom the complaint identified as alleged co-conspirators.
Malonzo said Asistio’s alleged accountability in the questioned projects was evident because of the congressman’s public endorsement and association with the infrastructure works, describing the lawmaker as already “compromised.”
“He has already been explicitly named and repeatedly implicated by vital witnesses in several major, ongoing congressional investigations. This Ombudsman complaint solidifies what legislative inquiries have begun to unearth,” he stated.
Malonzo said that despite being out of City Hall for more than two decades, he still considered it his duty to protect the interests of Caloocan residents, claiming that the city remained plagued by poverty and lack of progress due to what he described as deeply entrenched corruption.
“We are bringing them before the Ombudsman to ensure they finally answer to the law,” Malonzo added.
The Manila Bulletin reached out to Asistio through his verified Facebook page for comment on the allegations, but he has yet to respond as of posting time. As for the other respondents, the Manila Bulletin remains open to publishing their side on the matter.

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Ex-Caloocan mayor Malonzo files raps Asistio others over alleged P79.2-M ghost infra projects Ombudsman OMB
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