DPWH-Davao Occidental officials, contractor charged over P96.5M ghost project
Criminal charges were filed against a contractor and several Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials over a P96.5 million “ghost” infrastructure project in Davao Occidental.
The Office of the Ombudsman charged Sarah Discaya, owner of St. Timothy Construction Corp., along with DPWH District Engineer Rodrigo Larete, Assistant District Engineer Michael Awa, and other officials, for alleged malversation and violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The complaint, filed at the Regional Trial Court in Digos City at 2:15 p.m. yesterday, claims the respondents falsified documents and colluded to release funds despite incomplete work. The case is non-bailable.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the office found probable cause to pursue the criminal complaint, citing suspicions that engineers and contractors conspired to misappropriate government funds.
The disputed project involved the construction of a revetment along Barangay Culaman in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental. Awarded in January 2022 to St. Timothy Construction Corp., the project is now under scrutiny for alleged non-implementation despite full disbursement of funds.
Other respondents include DPWH officials Joel Lumogdang, Harold Villaver, Jafael Faunilnian, Josephine Valdez, Ranulfo Flores, and Ryan Ubungen, as well as contractor Maria Roma Angeline Rimando.
The case highlights ongoing concerns over transparency and accountability in government infrastructure projects in the region, drawing public attention to alleged misuse of taxpayer funds.
