The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has referred to the Department of Justice (DOJ) a case for possible criminal prosecution over alleged bid rigging in a flood control project under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) First District Engineering Office in Bulacan.

PCC officials confirmed the referral on Friday afternoon, citing possible violations of Section 14(a)(2) of Republic Act No. 10667, or the Philippine Competition Act, which prohibits collusive bidding.

PCC Assistant Director Genevieve Jusi said the agency’s investigation found indications of “sabwatan” or collusion among contractors to manipulate the results of DPWH procurement.

She explained that “during the course of their investigation, they found possible violation of Section 14(a)(2) of the Philippine Competition Act. This is bid rigging, which is prohibited,” adding that these agreements appeared to be arrangements among contractors or bidders to influence bidding outcomes.

According to Jusi, the suspected collusion seemed to have been “facilitated by DPWH” and involved both former and current officials assigned to the Bulacan First District.

Three contracts linked to flood control projects were endorsed for DOJ review. While at least five private firms had been flagged in a separate DPWH filing, PCC declined to disclose names, citing confidentiality rules while the case remains under evaluation.

When asked about the number of contractors involved, Jusi said several firms are under scrutiny but declined to provide a specific number. She also clarified that not all DPWH-flagged companies were included in the PCC referral, noting prioritization based on available documents and investigative resources.

For its part, the DOJ said it will now examine the evidence and determine whether a preliminary investigation should proceed.

“The DOJ will evaluate the referral of the PCC on possible violations of the Competition Act, particularly on bid rigging,” DOJ Spokesman Polo Martines said. “We will subpoena the respondents in due time when we are ready to conduct the preliminary investigation.”

Martines emphasized that the referral signals the start of DOJ’s internal assessment rather than the opening of formal proceedings.

“This is a product of cooperation between the DOJ and PCC to develop this case of bid rigging and finally unearth the master bid-rigger in these flood control projects,” he explained. “But as usual, before we begin a preliminary investigation, we will evaluate the evidence first.”

Neither agency provided a timeline for the issuance of subpoenas or the anticipated start of the formal probe.