ICI seeks Ombudsman probe into ex-DPWH chief Bonoan

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) disclosed that it will submit an interim report to the Office of the Ombudsman concerning a P72.3-million flood control project in Plaridel, Bulacan, after an investigation found that the project was not constructed at its designated location.

The project, Contract ID No. 25CC0148, involved the construction of a riverbank protection structure in Bagong Silang, Plaridel.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan First District Engineering Office implemented the project, with Topnotch Catalyst Builders Inc. as the contractor.

According to the ICI, its investigation was prompted by a report from the Commission on Audit (COA). The findings revealed that the structure was never built at the location specified in the officially approved bid plans. Instead, it was allegedly relocated to a different site, as shown in the “As Staked/As Built” plans.

It stated that this major deviation lacked sufficient documentary evidence to justify or authorize the relocation. Despite this, the DPWH had already released full payment to the contractor.

The ICI stated in a media briefer, “The results of the COA technical inspection... clearly establish that the project was never constructed at the designated location... despite the unwarranted release and full payment of the contract cost.”

It cited “gross negligence” on the part of several DPWH officials, whose actions or failures to act resulted in “evident injury to the government.”

In the interim report, the ICI will recommend that the Ombudsman evaluate potential criminal and administrative violations. Among the officials named for potential assessment are engineers Henry C. Alcantara, Brice Ericson D. Hernandez, and Eumir S. Villanueva for possible violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Malversation, and Falsification.

It also recommends assessing the potential liability of former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, along with former Undersecretaries Roberto Bernardo and Maria Catalina Cabral, for possible breaches of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials.

The ICI emphasized that its findings are preliminary and do not constitute a final finding of guilt, stating that the responsibility for determining liability rests with the proper authorities.

The Office of the Ombudsman will be asked by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to assess the potential violations of former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan over a questionable flood control project in Plaridel, Bulacan.

ICI chairperson Andres Reyes said Bonoan and former Undersecretary Cathy Cabral would be probed for possible violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials.

In August, Bonoan resigned amid controversies hounding the department over anomalous flood control projects. He was replaced by Vince Dizon, who vowed to clean up the agency from corruption.

Likewise, the ICI also recommended looking into the possible violations of Bonoan, former undersecretaries Roberto Bernardo and Maria Catalina Cabral, under the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees in connection with the P72-million Bulacan flood control project.