NBI files graft complaints vs 20 over Cebu flood control projects

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Cebu District Office has filed two separate criminal complaints before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against 20 officials, employees and private individuals associated with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Cebu Third District Engineering Office. The complaints stem from alleged anomalies in the bidding and implementation of two flood control projects within the district's jurisdiction, specifically in Barangay Singsing, Balamban, Cebu. In a press conference on Tuesday, August 4, DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said the first complaint was received on July 29, followed by a second complaint involving the same 20 respondents and charges, but arising from a separate flood control project. According to Martinez, the 20 respondents include engineers and other personnel from the DPWH Cebu Third District Engineering Office, along with private individuals who allegedly participated in the bidding and implementation of the projects. Both complaints allege the commission of the following criminal offenses, according to Martinez: Martinez emphasized that the cases are currently at the preliminary investigation stage. "No conclusive finding has been made yet," Martinez said. "Every respondent will be given the opportunity to submit a counter-affidavit and countervailing evidence against him or her before the Department of Justice resolves the complaints,” he added.