THE Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) on Thursday filed its fourth report with the Office of the Ombudsman recommending the filing of graft and malversation charges against several district engineers of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in connection with the P74 million ghost flood control projects in Hagonoy, Bulacan.
In its 19-page report signed by ICI chairperson, retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Andres Reyes, the commission identified the engineers as Henry Alcantara, Brice Ericson Hernandez, Ernesto Galang, Jolo Mari V. Tayao, John Michael Ramos, Lemuel Ephraim Roque.
Also included in the recommendation of the ICI is the owner of construction firm Darcy and Anna Builders and Trading identified as Darcy Kimel Respecio.
The ICI asked the Ombudsman to determine if there is basis to charge the respondents for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Malversation and Falsification provisions of the Revised Penal Code, Government Procurement Reform Act and Presidential Decree 1759 which penalizes contractors and subcontractors who violate any provisions of contracts involving public works projects of the government, and public officials who allow such violations.
The investigating body, which was created by President Marcos to investigate the anomalous flood control projects of the government, also asked the Ombudsman to assess whether there is basis to hold former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan, former undersecretaries Roberto Bernardo and Maria Catalina Cabral liable for violations of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
The report involves the construction of riverbank protection structure at Barangay Carillo, Hagonoy, Bulacan, implemented by Darcy and Anna Builders and Trading, with original contract amounting to P74,111,970.
Based on a report endorsed by the Commission on Audit (COA), the ICI said, it was established that no structure was constructed at the location. despite the unwarranted release and full payment of the contract cost by the DPWH to Darcy and Anna Builders and Trading.
‘Finding no plausible or lawful justification for the acts committed, the Commission deems it imperative to recommend to the Honorable Ombudsman the immediate initiation of the appropriate charges, as may be deemed proper, to redress the grave injury inflicted upon the Government and the public interest, and to ensure that the erring public officials are held fully accountable for their actions,’ the report stated.
The ICI said that Bonoan and the other DPWH officials should be administratively held liable as it appears that they were ‘grossly negligent, if not remiss, in the performance of their respective duties to ensure that the project was properly implemented and that government funds were lawfully and prudently disbursed.’