Ombudsman Suspends 16 DPWH Bulacan Employees Over Alleged Corruption in Flood Control Projects

Acting Ombudsman Dante Vargas has ordered the preventive suspension of 16 personnel from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office due to suspected corrupt practices connected to flood control projects. The suspension took effect on Thursday, September 18.

This disciplinary measure follows the filing of criminal complaints by DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon last Monday against several employees implicated in the scandal. Secretary Dizon further emphasized that the agency aims to initiate at least one corruption case weekly as the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) intensifies its investigation into the alleged irregularities surrounding these flood control initiatives.

In a related development, Commission on Audit (COA) Chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba has submitted additional fraud audit reports concerning flood control projects in the municipalities of Plaridel, Pandi, and Bocaue. These projects, amounting to a total allocation of ₱389.6 million, are reportedly linked to fraudulent activities, including missing requisite documentation, nonexistent civil works, inconsistencies in project locations, and flawed bid approval processes.

The Ombudsman clarified that the preventive suspension aims to prevent the suspended personnel from influencing the ongoing probe or tampering with public records, thereby ensuring a transparent and unobstructed investigation process.

"This measure is necessary to uphold the integrity of the investigation and to safeguard public funds," stated the Ombudsman’s office.

The crackdown highlights the government’s intensified efforts to eradicate corruption within infrastructure projects vital for disaster mitigation and public safety.