ICI submits third flood control case recommendation to Ombudsman

A third recommendation from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) reached the Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday, urging an investigation into several individuals linked to the P72.3-million flood control project in Plaridel, Bulacan.

According to the ICI, a report endorsed by the Commission on Audit (COA) revealed that no structure was built at the location specified in the Approved Bid Plans. Instead, the structure was relocated to a site identified in the As-Staked/As-Built Plans. The ICI noted that this deviation lacked sufficient documentary evidence to justify or authorize the relocation.

The ICI recommended evaluating possible violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Revised Penal Code provisions on malversation and falsification, Presidential Decree No. 1759, and the Government Procurement Reform Act involving Engineer Henry Alcantara, Engineer Bryce Hernandez, and Topnotch Catalyst Builder owner Eumir Villanueva.

The commission also urged the Ombudsman to assess whether former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan and former undersecretaries Roberto Bernardo and Maria Catalina Cabral violated the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

ICI head Andres Reyes clarified that the commission cannot directly file complaints. “To make the record straight, we can’t make any complaint, we can’t file a complaint under our mandate. We can only refer. So the complaint and referrals later on will be sworn to and subscribed by DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, who will make that in a complaint,” Reyes said.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said fact-finding based on ICI’s recommendation would proceed immediately. He added that as requests for counter-affidavits continue, with some already submitted, they are targeting 11 November as the date for the first batch of cases to be filed before the Sandiganbayan—earlier than the previous forecast of 25 November.