Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said investigators will inspect the actual locations and coordinates of flood control projects in Balamban, Cebu, to determine whether projects flagged in the area are “ghost” projects.
Remulla said Monday, Aug. 10, that verifying project coordinates would be among the initial steps in the Ombudsman’s examination of government-funded flood control projects amid allegations of irregularities in their implementation.
“We will look at the coordinates. Ano yan eh, when we were given a job like this, the first thing we do is look at the coordinates,” Remulla said.
He said investigators would use digital tools to verify the locations of projects and compare them with information contained in government records.
The process could also help identify other irregularities, including cases where project locations were changed or a single project was recorded as two separate projects.
“Because it was so easy before to transfer stations and to double count one project will be two items,” Remulla said.
Remulla said the investigation would not be limited to determining whether a project exists.
Investigators will also examine whether projects were completed according to specifications and whether other violations occurred during their implementation.
“So that we can know if it’s really a ghost or not ghost, if substandard basta lahat ng may makitang violation we will look at it,” he said.
He acknowledged that the projects could potentially turn out to be nonexistent, but stressed that investigators must first verify the facts.
“So it is possible that its a ghost but we will have to check and verify and validate,” Remulla said.
The Ombudsman’s planned verification comes after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) filed complaints with the Department of Justice involving 20 individuals allegedly linked to two flood control projects in Balamban.
The respondents reportedly include engineers and personnel from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Cebu 3rd Engineering District, as well as private individuals.
The complaints allege malversation of public funds, violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, perjury and falsification of public documents.
The projects under scrutiny involve supposed flood mitigation works along the Kumbado River in Barangay Singsing, Balamban.
Former Cebu Third District Rep. Pablo John Garcia earlier disputed claims that the projects did not exist, saying the two projects were implemented, completed and turned over to the local government.
Garcia also raised concerns over the addresses recorded for the projects and called for a joint reinspection involving the NBI, DPWH and Commission on Audit.
Remulla said the Ombudsman would also examine the officials and private parties involved in the implementation of public works projects.
“Of course we are also into conducting lifestyle checks on the district engineers and other engineers of the DPWH,” he said.
The Ombudsman chief also said authorities are examining projects awarded without competitive bidding as part of the broader investigation into possible irregularities in government infrastructure.
“We’re also looking at the no-bidding phenomenon,” Remulla said.
“So that we can clean up house on the soonest possible time,” he added.
The Balamban projects form part of the Ombudsman’s broader review of flood control spending and infrastructure in Cebu.
Remulla earlier said the office would examine P60 billion worth of flood control projects implemented across the province over the past six years.
Photo by Kaiser Jan Fuentes
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