THE Crime and Corruption Watch International Inc. (CCWI) on Wednesday, May 21, filed a graft complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman against top officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Region 6 (Western Visayas) and a private construction firm over alleged questionable P2.4-billion contracts.

Dr. Carlo Magno Batalla, CCWI chairman, in a press conference held at the Quezon City Memorial Circle, identified the principal respondent as DPWH Regional Director Sonny Boy Oropel.

Also named respondents were district engineers, namely, Robert Palmera, Randolfo Melosantos, Allan Rey Pajimna, Roy Pacanan, Bernadette Betsy Uy, Mary Grace Bulaquina-Hachuela, Marilou Zamora, Ormel Santos, Gladwyn Ledesma, Roland Rainier Victorino and Ricardo Gutierrez of DPWH’s Bids and Awards Committee.

Also included in the complaint is Helen Edith Lee-Tan, president of IBC International Builders Corp.

In a complaint, Batalla said the respondents violated Republic Act (RA) 12009 (New Government Procurement Act), RA 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act), RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees) and RA 3019 (Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).

Batalla said his group decided to file criminal complaints against the respondents for the alleged rigged biddings and awards amounting to P2.4 billion in 2024 alone to favor the contractor IBC.

“It’s now the time to file charges against corrupt government officials, especially the DPWH officials,” said Batalla, who used to be a board member in a Bicol province.

He noted that if there were two projects where the delay in the construction of the project was 10 percent, a contractor cannot be awarded a project again.

“But in this case, the respondent construction firm (IBC) has been awarded several projects despite records that showed it has been committing several delays in its previous projects with DPWH,” the CCWI head said.

Citing an existing law, Batalla said that if the performance of a contractor is not satisfactory, he/she is no longer qualified to engage in another project.

Lawyer Eugene Alfaras, also of CCWI, said their group obtained pieces of evidence to substantiate their allegations against the DPWH officials in the region.

“Once you commit something illegal, you will be held administratively and criminally liable, and it’s good that there is a group (CCWI) now that is focused on stopping such nefarious activities,” Alfaras said.