DPWH exec, lawmaker charged over contracts

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice-led Task Force Against Corruption (TFAC) filed charges against a congressman and a Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) official before the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly “favoring certain contractors,” DOJ Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar revealed yesterday.

Villar said TFAC filed two complaints, one involving the congressman and a DPWH official; while the other charge involved a local government unit (LGU) official dragged in anomalous purchase of land by a municipality.

“Two complaints filed with the TFAC have already been found to be sufficient in form and substance, and were endorsed to the Office of the Ombudsman,” Villar said, but did not name the respondents.

“The cases have just been referred to the Ombudsman and we have not received any update from them whether they have commenced the investigation so I won’t be able to give those details yet,” she added.

“We also forwarded one complaint found to be sufficient in form and substance by the Complaints Evaluation Committee (CEC) to the NPS for preliminary investigation since these involve employees with SG 27 and lower,” Villar said.

The STAR sought an update with Ombudsman Samuel Martires but affirmed he has yet to check the status of the complaint, as their main office in Quezon City remains closed since March 29.

Last Dec. 28, President Duterte mentioned eight congressmen and a former legislator allegedly linked to corruption in DPWH projects. After instructing the DOJ to probe corruption in government, the justice department received 274 complaints, where 240 were already with TFAC and 69 referred to appropriate agencies for comment or action.

“Some major complaints are quietly being investigated by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for case build-up,” Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said.

The TFAC, headed by the DOJ, is composed of the NBI, Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, Office of the Special Assistant to the President, National Prosecution Service and the Anti-Money Laundering Council, along with the Commission on Audit, the Civil Service Commission and the Ombudsman. – Elizabeth Marcelo