THE Office of the Ombudsman will file malversation and graft charges against contractors Cezarah Discaya and Maria Roma Angeline Rimando of St. Timothy Construction, as well as several Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Davao Occidental officials, in connection with a ₱96.5-million ghost flood control project in the province, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano announced on Friday.
Clavano stated that the decision to file charges came after a “thorough investigation” that included reviewing documents, conducting field verification, and evaluating sworn statements from community witnesses. The investigation revealed that the project was never implemented, with no actual construction taking place, despite certifications from the respondents that the project was completed.
The criminal information will be filed before the Regional Trial Court in Digos City, Davao del Sur. The prosecution has recommended no bail for the malversation charge, meaning that the respondents would be detained pending trial if warrants of arrest are issued.
In addition to Discaya and Rimando, the following DPWH Davao Occidental officials are also recommended to be charged: Rodrigo Larete, Michael Awa, Joel Lumogdang, Harold John Villaver, Jafael Faunillian, Josephine Valdez, Ranulfo Flores, and Czar Ryan Ubungen. These officials have also been placed under preventive suspension for six months for grave misconduct and grave dishonesty.
Clavano explained that the DPWH officials are accused of falsifying accomplishment reports, issuing fraudulent billing documents, and endorsing disbursement vouchers that led to the release of the entire project cost. An on-ground inspection conducted by the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) confirmed that works were only started after the flood control issue had become public. DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, when he filed the complaint in October, described the project as “a clear ghost project.”
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