The Office of the Ombudsman has filed criminal charges against eight officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office and three executives of St. Timothy Construction Corporation over alleged anomalies in a ₱53.9-million flood control project in Calumpit, Bulacan.

In a statement read by Assistant Ombudsman and spokesperson Mico Clavano on Thursday, June 4, the Ombudsman said the respondents were charged with one count of violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and one count of Malversation of Public Funds or Property Through Falsification of Public Documents under the Revised Penal Code.

The charges were filed in connection with from DPWH Contract ID No. 22CC0058 involving the rehabilitation of a river construction structure along Bulusan in Calumpit, Bulacan.

“The findings of the Office of the Ombudsman reveal an utter and flagrant disregard for government auditing and accounting regulations,” Clavano said.

“Specifically, investigators discovered that payments for the project’s first billing were released despite an unapproved disbursement voucher,” he said.

Clavano added that full payments for dredging and embankment works were made “without any basis for computation or the necessary supporting documents required to prove project accomplishment.”

“These collective actions resulted in an unwarranted benefit to St. Timothy Construction Corporation totaling approximately ₱53,917,731.92, causing significant financial injury to the government," he said.

The Ombudsman also said the investigation established that the respondents allegedly allowed the contractor to take possession of and misappropriate government funds.

“The investigation further established that the accused officials allowed the contractor to take possession of and misappropriate these funds, which constitutes the illegal act of Malversation of Public Funds,” he Clavano.

Named respondents from the DPWH were Merg Jaron Caparas Laus, Brice Ericson Diaz Hernandez, Jaypee De Leon Mendoza, Ernesto Cosay Galang, Norberto De Leon Santos, Lorenzo Alcoriza Pagtalunan, Juanito Coronel Mendoza, and Floralyn Yutuc Simbulan.

Also charged were St. Timothy Construction Corporation managing officer Ma. Roma Angeline Discaya Rimando and spouses Cezarah Rowena C. Discaya and Pacifico F. Discaya II, whom the Ombudsman identified as the company's beneficial owners.

The criminal informations were filed before the Regional Trial Court in Malolos City, Bulacan on June 4.

The Ombudsman said former District Engineer Henry Alcantara and Project Engineer Paul Jayson F. Duya were excluded from the criminal informations after entering into immunity agreements with the agency.

Following the filing of the cases, recommended bail for the graft charge was set at ₱90,000 for each accused.

No bail was recommended for the charge of Malversation of Public Funds Through Falsification of Public Documents.

“The prosecution will now proceed to the trial phase, where evidence will be presented to hold the individuals accountable for the misappropriation of public resources intended for vital community infrastructure,” Clavano said.