MANILA – The Office of the Ombudsman has filed criminal charges against several public officials and private individuals in connection with the P96.5 million ghost infrastructure project in Davao Occidental.

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said on Friday that graft and malversation charges will be filed against Cezarah Rowena Discaya and others before the Regional Trial Court of Digos City. No bail was recommended.

Among the respondents are District Engineer Rodrigo Larete; Assistant District Engineer Michael Awa; multiple section chiefs, project engineers, and inspectors from the DPWH Davao Occidental District Engineering Office; and Ma. Roma Angeline Rimando of St. Timothy Construction Corporation.

Clavano said the involved DPWH officials have been placed under preventive suspension for six months.

According to the Ombudsman, the respondents conspired to facilitate the release of PHP96.5 million supposedly intended for the construction of a revetment project in Barangay Culaman, Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental in 2022. The project was never implemented.

“This filing marks the second major case acted upon by our Office following the series of infrastructure corruption allegations raised this year,” Clavano said.

“The Office of the Ombudsman assures the Filipino people that we will pursue this matter firmly, independently, and without fear or favor. Public funds intended for community protection cannot be converted into private gain and greed. Every person who participated in this scheme will be held accountable,” he added.

PNA