UMVA has learned that a major corruption scandal has rocked the Department of Public Works and Highways in Bulacan, with graft and malversation charges filed against several high-ranking officials and contractors.
The charges, filed by the Office of the Ombudsman before the Malolos Regional Trial Court, target Pacifico “Curlee” F. Discaya II and Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” C. Discaya, along with other officials of the Discaya-owned St. Timothy Construction Corp. and eight other DPWH officials in Bulacan.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the case stems from a P53.9-million flood control project in Bulusan, Calumpit, which involved the rehabilitation of a river structure. The Ombudsman’s investigation revealed that payments were released despite an unapproved disbursement voucher, while dredging and embankment works were fully paid without supporting documents or verified basis of accomplishment.
The transactions allegedly resulted in an unwarranted benefit to the contractor amounting to about P53.9 million and caused financial injury to the government. The Ombudsman said DPWH personnel facilitated the release and transfer of funds to the contractor, constituting malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that the filing of charges comes on the heels of DPWH Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon’s statement that a “big fish” would be included among those facing charges in connection with alleged flood control anomalies. The Ombudsman’s office has reportedly prepared several more cases against officials, with another filing expected in Bulacan.
The accused officials face serious penalties, with bail set at P90,000 per accused for the graft charge, while no bail was recommended for the malversation charge. Two officials, District Engineer Henry C. Alcantara and Project Engineer Paul Jayson F. Duya, were excluded from the charges after entering into immunity agreements with the Office of the Ombudsman.
