CCWI QUESTIONS ₱150-MILLION CONTRACTS AWARDED TO CONTRACTOR WITH REPORTED PROJECT DELAYS
June 23, 2026 | Camarines Sur, Philippines
CAMARINES SUR — Questions are being raised over the award of three provincial government projects worth a combined ₱150,091,844.46 to Triches Construction and Trading, after Crimes and Corruption Watch International, Inc. (CCWI) pointed to a contractor performance record that reportedly showed “substantial slippage” in other ongoing government projects.
According to CCWI Chairman/President Carlo Batalla, Ph.D., the reported performance record raises questions about the contractor’s eligibility and the procurement process that resulted in the award of the three projects by the Province of Camarines Sur.
CCWI is asking the provincial government and its procurement officials to explain how the contracts were awarded despite the contractor’s reported delays in other projects.
THREE PROVINCIAL PROJECTS WORTH MORE THAN ₱150 MILLION
The contracts identified by CCWI are:
1. Construction of Uptown Lifestyle Public Park and Mall
Contract amount: ₱119.9 million
2. Completion of Rice Processing Plant Building
Contract amount: ₱18 million
3. Construction of Waste Thermal Treatment Building
Contract amount: ₱12.1 million
Combined reported contract value: ₱150,091,844.46
CCWI said the issue centers on the contractor’s Contractor’s Performance Evaluation Report, which it claims reflects substantial delays in projects being undertaken for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
CCWI QUESTIONS PROCUREMENT PROCESS
Batalla is questioning whether the contractor’s reported performance record was properly considered during the procurement process.
The organization is specifically seeking clarification from the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) and the Head of the Procuring Entity (HOPE) regarding the evaluation of the contractor’s eligibility, technical capacity, past performance, and compliance with applicable procurement requirements.
The officials identified by CCWI in connection with the procurement process include:
- Atty. Janice Ian Regaspi-Cleofe
- Leah M. Yamson
- Krizia L. Murallo
- Marjorie L. Tayo
- Jaime Litada
- Bernadette B. Hermoso
- Luis Raymund F. Villafuerte Jr., identified by CCWI as the HOPE
CCWI is calling for the relevant bidding and award documents to be made available so that the public can examine how the contractor was evaluated and why the three projects proceeded to award.
DID THE CONTRACTOR MEET ALL PROCUREMENT REQUIREMENTS?
The central issue raised by CCWI is whether the reported “substantial slippage” in the contractor’s other government projects affected its eligibility or qualification for the Camarines Sur contracts.
However, the existence of a project delay does not, by itself, establish that a contractor was legally disqualified from participating in another procurement. The applicable procurement rules, the specific circumstances of the delayed projects, the contractor’s eligibility documents, and the BAC’s evaluation would need to be examined to determine whether any procurement violation occurred.
For this reason, CCWI is demanding access to the documents supporting the awards, including the bid documents, eligibility and qualification records, technical evaluation, BAC resolutions, notices of award, contracts, and relevant performance records.
PUBLIC FUNDS UNDER SCRUTINY
With the three contracts carrying a combined value of more than ₱150 million, CCWI said the matter warrants public scrutiny.
The organization is calling on the provincial government to explain the basis for the awards and to demonstrate that all applicable procurement requirements were followed.
The questions raised include:
Was the contractor’s previous performance properly evaluated?
Did the contractor meet all eligibility and qualification requirements?
Were the reported project delays considered by the BAC?
What documents supported the BAC’s recommendation and the HOPE’s approval?
Were all applicable procurement rules and safeguards observed?
CCWI CALLS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY
Batalla said the public deserves a clear explanation of how government contracts worth more than ₱150 million were evaluated and awarded.
CCWI is calling for the release and examination of the relevant procurement records and for any appropriate administrative or legal action if an investigation establishes that procurement rules were violated.
The organization emphasized that public infrastructure and development projects must be implemented through transparent and accountable procurement processes.
As of this report, the allegations raised by CCWI have not been independently adjudicated. The Province of Camarines Sur, the BAC members, the HOPE, and Triches Construction and Trading should be given an opportunity to respond to the allegations and present the relevant procurement and performance documents.
CARLO BATALLA, Ph.D.
Chairman/President
Crimes and Corruption Watch International, Inc. (CCWI)