MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has filed formal complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman against several officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and private contractors over alleged irregularities involving eight supposed “ghost” farm-to-market road (FMR) projects in Davao Occidental worth around P94 million.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. led the filing of the complaints, which accuse the respondents of corrupt practices, malversation, falsification of public documents, grave misconduct, and serious dishonesty.

One of the complaints involves DPWH Davao Occidental District Engineer Rodrigo C. Larete, Project Engineer and Officer-in-Charge Chief of Construction Section Joel M. Lumogdang, OIC-Assistant District Engineer Michael P. Awa, Quality Assurance Officer Jafel C. Faunillan, Acting Finance Chief Czar Ryan S. Ubungen, Project Engineer Harold John C. Villaver, and contractor Leonila P. Urgel of RDF Construction and Supply.

The complaint stemmed from an alleged “ghost” FMR project in Barangay Caburan, Jose Abad Santos, which reportedly received full payment amounting to P11.94 million despite not being implemented.

According to the DA, the respondents allegedly falsified Statements of Work Accomplished, Certificates of Payment, and Disbursement Vouchers to make it appear that the project had been completed, leading to the release of government funds.

Another complaint was lodged against the same DPWH officials and Masulot Construction, represented by Maligamama L. Medtamak, in connection with the Barangay Caburan Small FMR project in Jose Abad Santos worth P11.92 million under the DA’s FMR Development Program.

The DA alleged that the project was falsely declared completed, resulting in the release of funds despite findings from field validation conducted by the agency’s Internal Audit Service showing that the project had not been carried out.

Additional complaints were also filed against Larete, Lumogdang, Villaver, Awa, Faunillan, Ubungen, and several contractors, including Florentino D. Pesigan Jr. of YPR General Contractor, Abdulaziz U. Kadil of Al Handasa Construction, Marivic B. Juanites of Janmarie Construction, Diana S. Borbon of DISEM Construction and Supply, Allen P. Borbon of Adan Builders Co., and Marvin Lata Cumbe and Honorio Cumbe of HVC Sagittarius Commercial and Construction.

The cases involve FMR projects in Barangays Culaman, Datu Danwata, Demoloc, Tical, and Manuel Peralta, with contract amounts ranging from P10.02 million to P14.92 million.

The DA claimed that the respondents conspired to submit falsified Statements of Work Accomplished, Certificates of Payment, Project Status Reports, and Disbursement Vouchers to make the projects appear finished and facilitate payments for projects that were allegedly not implemented.

The complaints cited violations of the complex crime of malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents under Articles 217, 171, and 172 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Article 48, as well as Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Administrative charges for grave misconduct and serious dishonesty were also included.

The DA said the alleged acts caused undue injury to the government and gave unwarranted benefits to private contractors.

“The DA remains committed to ensuring accountability and transparency in the use of public funds, particularly in programs intended to benefit our farmers and rural communities,” Tiu Laurel said in a statement.

The agriculture chief also said the agency’s Internal Audit Service and Inspectorate and Enforcement unit would continue investigating possible collusion involving DA regional personnel, DPWH officials, and contractors linked to the alleged ghost projects.

“We will not stop until everyone involved in this corruption is held accountable for their crimes,” Tiu Laurel said.

The DA has urged the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate the alleged irregularities and hold those responsible liable for the supposed anomalies.

The alleged offenses may carry penalties of up to 40 years imprisonment, fines, and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.